cuesta
“cuesta” means “it costs” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
it costs, it is difficult
Also: it is hard, it takes (effort)
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto cuesta esta camisa?
A1How much does this shirt cost?
Me cuesta levantarme temprano.
A2It is difficult for me to get up early. (Literally: It costs me to get up early.)
A él le cuesta hablar en público.
B1It is hard for him to speak in public.
slope, hill
Also: incline, rise
📝 In Action
Hay una cuesta muy empinada después del río.
B1There is a very steep slope after the river.
Mi casa está en la cima de la cuesta.
B2My house is at the top of the hill.
Tuvimos que empujar el coche en la cuesta.
B1We had to push the car up the incline.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuesta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cuesta' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
Both the verb and the noun come from the Latin word *constāre*, which meant 'to stand firm' or 'to be established in value.' This connection explains both meanings: the value (what it costs) and the firmness/effort required (a steep slope).
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
If 'cuesta' is the verb form, why is it used to mean 'it is difficult'?
The core meaning of the verb 'costar' is 'to require effort or expense.' When you say 'Me cuesta bailar,' you are literally saying 'Dancing requires effort/cost from me,' which we translate naturally as 'It is difficult for me to dance.'
How can I tell the difference between the noun 'cuesta' and the verb 'cuesta'?
The noun 'cuesta' is always preceded by an article (la, una, esta) and usually followed by a descriptive word (empinada, larga). The verb 'cuesta' is usually preceded by a person's pronoun (me, te, le, nos) or refers to the subject of the sentence (El libro cuesta 20 dólares).