precio
“precio” means “price” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
price, cost
📝 In Action
¿Cuál es el precio de este café, por favor?
A1What is the price of this coffee, please?
El precio de la gasolina ha subido mucho este mes.
A2The cost of gasoline has gone up a lot this month.
Pudimos comprar la televisión a un precio muy bueno.
A2We were able to buy the television at a very good price.
value, cost
Also: reward
📝 In Action
La libertad tiene un precio muy alto.
B1Freedom has a very high cost/price.
Llegar a la cima de la montaña requirió un gran precio de esfuerzo físico.
B2Reaching the mountaintop required a great cost in physical effort.
Está dispuesto a pagar cualquier precio por la paz.
B1He is willing to pay any price for peace.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: precio
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'precio' in its figurative sense (meaning cost or sacrifice)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Precio' comes directly from the Latin word *pretium*, which meant 'value,' 'worth,' or 'reward.' It is related to words like 'praise' and 'precious' in other languages, showing its root connection to worth and estimation.
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'precio' the same as 'premio'?
No, they are very different! 'Precio' means 'price' (the cost you pay). 'Premio' means 'prize' or 'award' (something you win or receive). Don't mix them up when talking about shopping!
When should I use 'precio' versus 'costo'?
Both mean 'cost' or 'price.' 'Precio' is generally the tag amount you pay for a product. 'Costo' often refers to the internal expense of production or a more general expenditure. However, in daily conversation, they are often interchangeable, especially in Latin America, but 'precio' is usually preferred for asking the sticker price.