Inklingo
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caro

/káh-roh/

expensive

A sparkling diamond ring resting on a luxurious red velvet cushion, next to a massive, overflowing pile of shiny gold coins, symbolizing a high price.

When something costs a lot, it is caro (expensive).

caro(Adjective)

mA1

expensive

?

high price

Also:

costly

?

involving great expense

📝 In Action

Esta camisa es demasiado cara, no la puedo comprar.

A1

This shirt is too expensive, I can't buy it.

Comprar un coche nuevo siempre resulta caro.

A2

Buying a new car always turns out to be expensive.

Los billetes de avión son muy caros en verano.

A1

Plane tickets are very expensive in the summer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • costoso (costly)

Antonyms

  • barato (cheap)
  • económico (economical)

Common Collocations

  • ser caro – to be expensive (inherently)
  • estar caro – to be expensive (at this moment/temporarily)

💡 Grammar Points

Agreement is Key

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'caro' changes its ending to match the noun's gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'un libro caro' (m/s), 'una casa cara' (f/s), 'los viajes caros' (m/p), 'las entradas caras' (f/p).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Muy' vs. 'Mucho'

Mistake: "La falda cuesta mucho cara."

Correction: La falda cuesta muy cara. ('Muy' means 'very' and describes adjectives; 'mucho' means 'a lot' and describes verbs or nouns.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Price vs. Value

Use 'ser caro' (El reloj es caro) for things that are generally considered expensive. Use 'estar caro' (La fruta está cara) when a price is temporarily high (e.g., due to seasonality).

A smiling small child tenderly hugging a well-loved, slightly worn teddy bear close to their chest, illustrating something that is beloved or dear.

Someone or something beloved and cherished is also described as caro (dear).

caro(Adjective)

mB1

dear

?

beloved

Also:

precious

?

highly valued emotionally

📝 In Action

Mi más caro deseo es que volvamos a vernos pronto.

B1

My dearest wish is that we see each other again soon.

Cara amiga, espero que esta carta te encuentre bien.

B2

Dear friend, I hope this letter finds you well.

Ella guarda un recuerdo caro de su infancia.

C1

She keeps a precious memory of her childhood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • detestable (detestable)

Common Collocations

  • caro amigo – dear friend (letter opening)
  • caro recuerdo – precious memory

💡 Grammar Points

Position Change

When 'caro' is placed before the noun (e.g., 'mi cara familia'), it almost always means 'dear' or 'beloved' (emotional value). When placed after the noun (e.g., 'una cena cara'), it usually means 'expensive' (monetary value).

⭐ Usage Tips

Avoid Confusion in Speech

While technically correct, using 'caro' for 'dear' in everyday conversation is rare. Stick to 'querido/a' to avoid confusion with the 'expensive' meaning.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: caro

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'caro' to mean 'dear' or 'beloved' rather than 'expensive'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

carestía(high cost of living) - noun
encarecer(to make expensive; to raise the price) - verb
caridad(charity/love) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether to use 'caro,' 'cara,' 'caros,' or 'caras'?

You must match the word's ending to the person or thing you are describing. If the noun is singular and feminine (like 'la casa'), use 'cara.' If it's plural and masculine (like 'los libros'), use 'caros.'

Is 'caro' only for money, or can it describe effort or time?

Yes, 'caro' can describe anything that requires a high cost. You can say 'una victoria cara' (a costly victory) to mean a victory achieved with great effort or sacrifice.