cueste
/KWES-te/
it may cost
Cueste can mean 'it may cost,' referring to a hypothetical price or desired price.
cueste(Verb)
it may cost
?hypothetical or desired price
,let it cost
?formal command (usted)
I may cost
?first person singular, less common
📝 In Action
Espero que el boleto no cueste más de cincuenta dólares.
A2I hope the ticket doesn't cost more than fifty dollars.
Dígame cuánto cueste el pastel grande, por favor.
B1Tell me how much the large cake costs, please. (Formal request)
💡 Grammar Points
The Subjunctive Form
The form 'cueste' is used to talk about the price when you express a wish, a doubt, or a desire, instead of stating the price as a simple fact (which would use 'cuesta').
Formal Commands
'Cueste' is also the formal 'usted' command form: 'Dígame cuánto cueste' (Tell me how much it costs).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative
Mistake: "No sé si la entrada cuesta mucho."
Correction: No sé si la entrada cueste mucho. (When expressing doubt or uncertainty like 'I don't know if...', Spanish often uses the special 'cueste' form.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Trigger Phrases
Look for phrases like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...), 'Ojalá que...' (Hopefully...), or 'No creo que...' (I don't think that...)—these almost always require 'cueste'.
Cueste can also mean 'it may take effort,' emphasizing difficulty or trouble.
cueste(Verb)
it may take effort
?difficulty/trouble
,it may be hard
?mental or physical effort
I may struggle
?first person singular
📝 In Action
Aunque le cueste mucho, debe terminar el informe hoy.
B1Even if it takes him a lot of effort, he must finish the report today.
Haré este viaje cueste lo que cueste.
B2I will make this trip whatever it takes (no matter the effort).
💡 Grammar Points
Costar as 'To Be Hard'
When 'costar' means 'to be difficult,' it works like the verb 'gustar.' You use 'cueste' to express that the effort is uncertain or conditional: 'Aunque me cueste...' (Even though it is hard for me...).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong preposition
Mistake: "Me cueste a entender."
Correction: Me cueste entender. (In Spanish, when followed by another verb, 'costar' does not need 'a' or 'de'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Determination
The phrase 'cueste lo que cueste' is a powerful way to show commitment and determination, perfect for formal speeches or strong promises.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cueste
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'cueste' to express a wish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'costar' change its 'o' to 'ue' in 'cueste'?
The verb 'costar' is irregular because it has a 'stem change.' When the stress falls on the root of the verb (like in 'cuesto' or 'cueste'), the 'o' turns into 'ue.' This is a common pattern in Spanish verbs.
What is the difference between 'cueste' and 'cuesta'?
'Cuesta' is used for facts: 'The book costs ten dollars' (El libro cuesta diez dólares). 'Cueste' is used for wishes, doubts, or conditions: 'I wish it cost less' (Ojalá que cueste menos).