It's too expensive
in SpanishEs demasiado caro
/ehs deh-mah-see-AH-doh KAH-roh/
This is the most standard, grammatically correct way to say a price is excessive. It works in any Spanish-speaking country and in any situation, from a market to a luxury store.
When the price tag makes your eyes pop out, you know it's time to say '¡Está carísimo!'
💬Other Ways to Say It
Es muy caro
/ehs MOO-ee KAH-roh/
Literally 'It is very expensive.' This is slightly softer than 'demasiado' (too), but effectively means the same thing in conversation.
Está carísimo
/ehs-TAH kah-REE-see-moh/
Uses the superlative form (-ísimo) to emphasize that it is 'super expensive.'
Cuesta un ojo de la cara
/KWEH-stah oon OH-hoh deh lah KAH-rah/
The Spanish equivalent of 'It costs an arm and a leg.' Literally: 'It costs an eye of the face.'
Se me sale del presupuesto
/seh meh SAH-leh dehl preh-soo-PWEH-stoh/
Literally 'It goes out of my budget.' This is a polite, face-saving way to say it's too expensive without criticizing the seller's price.
Es un robo
/ehs oon ROH-boh/
Literally 'It's a robbery.' A dramatic way to say the price is unfair or a rip-off.
Está por las nubes
/ehs-TAH por lahs NOO-behs/
Literally 'It is through the clouds.' An idiom meaning the price has skyrocketed.
¿No tiene algo más económico?
/noh TYEH-neh AHL-goh mahs eh-koh-NOH-mee-koh/
Literally 'Do you not have something more economical?' This is a functional way to bypass the expensive item.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choose the right phrase based on who you are talking to and how much you want to complain.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Es demasiado caro | Neutral | Any situation where the price prevents you from buying. | N/A (Safe everywhere) |
| Se me sale del presupuesto | Polite | Professional settings or declining politely without offending. | You want to haggle aggressively. |
| Es un robo | Informal/Aggressive | Venting to friends about unfair prices. | Talking directly to a shop owner (it's insulting). |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy, though rolling the R in 'caro' is important to distinguish it from 'carro'.
Simple structure: Verb 'Es' + Adverb 'Demasiado' + Adjective 'Caro'.
Knowing when to bargain versus when to pay fixed prices takes some observation.
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing 'caro' (expensive) from 'carro' (car)
- Knowing when bargaining is appropriate
💡Examples in Action
Me gusta la camisa, pero es demasiado cara para mí.
I like the shirt, but it's too expensive for me.
¡Uy! Eso cuesta un ojo de la cara. Mejor buscamos otro restaurante.
Yikes! That costs an arm and a leg. We'd better look for another restaurant.
Disculpe, se me sale del presupuesto. ¿Es lo menos?
Excuse me, it's out of my budget. Is that your lowest price?
🌍Cultural Context
The Art of 'El Regateo' (Bargaining)
In many Spanish-speaking countries, stating something is 'too expensive' is just the opening move in a negotiation game called 'el regateo.' In traditional markets (mercados) or street stalls, vendors often expect you to say 'es muy caro' and will counter with a lower price. However, never try this in supermarkets, malls, or chain restaurants—prices there are fixed just like in the US or UK.
Directness is Not Rudeness
English speakers often feel uncomfortable telling a salesperson something is expensive. In Spanish culture, being direct about money is more acceptable. Saying 'es muy caro' isn't usually considered an insult to the seller's goods; it's simply a statement of fact about your willingness to pay that price.
Using 'Estar' vs 'Ser' for Prices
You might hear both 'Es caro' and 'Está caro.' While both mean it's expensive, using 'está' (from the verb Estar) subtly implies the price is high *right now* or compared to what you expected (e.g., avocados are expensive this week). 'Es caro' implies the item is inherently a luxury good (e.g., Ferraris are expensive).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Caro' and 'Carro'
Mistake: "Saying 'Es muy carro.'"
Correction: Es muy caro.
Saying 'Soy caro' instead of 'Es caro'
Mistake: "Saying 'Soy demasiado caro' when you mean the item is expensive."
Correction: Es demasiado caro.
Using 'Mucho' with Adjectives
Mistake: "Saying 'Es mucho caro.'"
Correction: Es muy caro.
💡Pro Tips
The 'Ouch' Face
When shopping in a market, body language is as important as words. When you hear a high price, making a pained facial expression or a sharp intake of breath before saying '¡Uy, qué caro!' signals to the vendor that you are interested but the price needs to come down.
The Polite Exit Strategy
If you are in a store and realize you can't afford an item, simply say 'Gracias, voy a dar una vuelta' (Thanks, I'm going to take a walk around). It's the standard code for 'I'm not buying this' without having to explicitly say it's too expensive.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
In Mexico, 'lana' (wool) is slang for money. You might hear 'No traigo lana' (I don't have money).
Spain
Spaniards use 'Pasta' for money. 'Eso cuesta una pasta' means it costs a fortune.
Argentina
'Afano' is Lunfardo slang for theft. It's very common to hear locals complain saying '¡Es un afano!'
💬What Comes Next?
You say it's too expensive in a market
¿Cuánto ofrece? / ¿Cuánto quiere pagar?
How much do you offer? / How much do you want to pay?
Le ofrezco [amount].
I offer you [amount].
You express hesitation about the price
Para usted, le hago un descuento.
For you, I'll give you a discount.
¿En cuánto me lo deja?
How much will you let me have it for?
You decide not to buy it
Anímese, es buena calidad.
Go for it, it's good quality.
Gracias, pero voy a pensarlo.
Thanks, but I'm going to think about it.
🧠Memory Tricks
The word 'Caro' sounds like the first part of 'Car'. Since cars are expensive items, remember: CARs are CARo.
English uses 'Arm and a leg' (limbs), but Spanish uses 'Ojo de la cara' (face). Imagine paying for something by popping out a glass eye—it's a vivid image that helps you remember the idiom.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we often soften price complaints with 'It's a bit pricey' or 'I'm not sure.' Spanish speakers are generally more comfortable stating 'Es caro' (It's expensive) as a simple fact. Also, the concept of bargaining is much more integrated into daily life in Latin America than in the US or UK.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: You cannot say 'Es alto' to mean a price is expensive. 'Alto' refers to physical height.
Use instead: El precio es alto (The price is high) OR Es caro (It is expensive).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask for a discount in Spanish
Once you say it's expensive, the natural next step is to ask for a lower price.
How to say cheap in Spanish
Learn the opposite word ('barato') to compare prices effectively.
Numbers 1-100 in Spanish
You need to understand the numbers to know exactly how expensive the item is.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: It's too expensive
Question 1 of 3
You are in a fancy department store (fixed prices) and see a jacket that costs $500. You want to tell your friend it's too much money. What is the best phrase?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'Es caro' and 'Está caro'?
Both mean 'it is expensive.' 'Es caro' implies the item is always expensive (like gold or diamonds). 'Está caro' suggests the price is currently high or higher than expected (like strawberries out of season).
Is it rude to say 'Es muy caro' to a seller?
Generally, no. In markets where bargaining is common, it is expected. In formal stores, it is just a statement of fact. As long as you say it calmly and not aggressively, it is not considered rude.
How do I say 'rip-off' in Spanish?
The most common way is 'Es un robo' (It's a robbery). In Argentina, you might hear 'Es un afano,' and in Mexico, slang might be 'Es una estafa' (It's a scam/fraud).
Can I use 'caro' for people?
No! Saying 'Soy caro' means you charge a lot for your services (or company). Always use 'es' (it is) or refer to the specific item when using the word 'caro'.
📚Continue Learning Spanish Phrases
Explore More Phrases in These Categories
Find similar phrases to expand your Spanish vocabulary:
Want to Learn More Spanish Phrases?
Browse our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by situation, from basic greetings to advanced conversations. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone learning Spanish.
View All Spanish Phrases →