Confusing 'Caro' and 'Carro'
Mistake: “Saying 'Es muy carro.'”
Correction: Es muy caro.
How to say
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!'
🎬Watch & Learn
It's too expensive — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
Es muy caro
★★★★★
ehs MOO-ee KAH-roh
neutral🌍
Literally 'It is very expensive.' This is slightly softer than 'demasiado' (too), but effectively means the same thing in conversation.
When to use: Use this for general statements about price without necessarily implying you won't buy it.
Está carísimo
★★★★★
ehs-TAH kah-REE-see-moh
casual🌍
Uses the superlative form (-ísimo) to emphasize that it is 'super expensive.'
When to use: Use when you are surprised or shocked by a high price tag.
Cuesta un ojo de la cara
★★★★☆
KWEH-stah oon OH-hoh deh lah KAH-rah
informal🌍
The Spanish equivalent of 'It costs an arm and a leg.' Literally: 'It costs an eye of the face.'
When to use: Use in casual conversations with friends or family when complaining about high costs.
Se me sale del presupuesto
★★★☆☆
seh meh SAH-leh dehl preh-soo-PWEH-stoh
polite🌍
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.
When to use: Perfect for declining an offer politely or when negotiating professionally.
Es un robo
★★★☆☆
ehs oon ROH-boh
informal/slang🌍
Literally 'It's a robbery.' A dramatic way to say the price is unfair or a rip-off.
When to use: Use only when venting to friends or if you are genuinely angry about a price gouge. Avoid saying this directly to a shopkeeper unless you want to be rude.
Está por las nubes
★★★☆☆
ehs-TAH por lahs NOO-behs
neutral🌍
Literally 'It is through the clouds.' An idiom meaning the price has skyrocketed.
When to use: Commonly used when talking about inflation or prices that have gone up recently (like gas or housing).
¿No tiene algo más económico?
★★★★☆
noh TYEH-neh AHL-goh mahs eh-koh-NOH-mee-koh
polite🌍
Literally 'Do you not have something more economical?' This is a functional way to bypass the expensive item.
When to use: Use this in stores when you like the item type but need a cheaper option.
🔑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
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in a few hours
Pronunciation2/5
Fairly easy, though rolling the R in 'caro' is important to distinguish it from 'carro'.
Grammar2/5
Simple structure: Verb 'Es' + Adverb 'Demasiado' + Adjective 'Caro'.
Cultural Nuance3/5
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
Shopping at a clothing storeA1
Me gusta la camisa, pero es demasiado cara para mí.
I like the shirt, but it's too expensive for me.
Casual conversation between friends looking at a menu outsideB1
¡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.
Negotiating at a market or buying a carA2
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
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
Preferred:Está muy caro / Está carísimo
Pronunciation:Standard Latin American
Alternatives:
Cuesta una lana (It costs a wool/money)Está salado (It's salted - meaning expensive/bad luck)
In Mexico, 'lana' (wool) is slang for money. You might hear 'No traigo lana' (I don't have money).
⚠️ Note: Don't be too aggressive with 'Es un robo' unless you are joking with friends.
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:Es muy caro
Pronunciation:Thinner 'c' sound (th-sound) in some regions, but 'caro' is standard
Alternatives:
Es una pasta (It's a pasta/dough - meaning a lot of money)Vale un riñón (It's worth a kidney)
Spaniards use 'Pasta' for money. 'Eso cuesta una pasta' means it costs a fortune.
⚠️ Note: N/A
🇦🇷
Argentina
Preferred:Es un afano
Pronunciation:Distinctive Argentine accent (sh-sound for ll/y)
Alternatives:
Te arrancan la cabeza (They rip your head off)Cuesta un huevo (It costs an egg - slightly vulgar slang for testicle)
'Afano' is Lunfardo slang for theft. It's very common to hear locals complain saying '¡Es un afano!'
⚠️ Note: Be careful with 'Cuesta un huevo' in formal company as it refers to anatomy.
💬What Comes Next?
You say it's too expensive in a market
They say:
¿Cuánto ofrece? / ¿Cuánto quiere pagar?
How much do you offer? / How much do you want to pay?
→
You respond:
Le ofrezco [amount].
I offer you [amount].
You express hesitation about the price
They say:
Para usted, le hago un descuento.
For you, I'll give you a discount.
→
You respond:
¿En cuánto me lo deja?
How much will you let me have it for?
You decide not to buy it
They say:
Anímese, es buena calidad.
Go for it, it's good quality.
→
You respond:
Gracias, pero voy a pensarlo.
Thanks, but I'm going to think about it.
🧠Memory Tricks
Cars are Expensive
The word 'Caro' sounds like the first part of 'Car'. Since cars are expensive items, remember: CARs are CARo.
Eye of the Face
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:
"It's high (referring to price)"
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?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
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'.
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