How to Say "costly" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “costly” is “caro” — use 'caro' when something has a high price that makes it difficult or undesirable to purchase, often implying it's more expensive than expected or affordable.
caro
káh-rohˈkaɾo
Examples
Este teléfono es demasiado caro para mi presupuesto.
This phone is too expensive for my budget.
Esta camisa es demasiado cara, no la puedo comprar.
This shirt is too expensive, I can't buy it.
Comprar un coche nuevo siempre resulta caro.
Buying a new car always turns out to be expensive.
Los billetes de avión son muy caros en verano.
Plane tickets are very expensive in the summer.
Agreement is Key
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'caro' changes its ending to match the noun's gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'un libro caro' (m/s), 'una casa cara' (f/s), 'los viajes caros' (m/p), 'las entradas caras' (f/p).
Using 'Muy' vs. 'Mucho'
Mistake: “La falda cuesta mucho cara.”
Correction: La falda cuesta muy cara. ('Muy' means 'very' and describes adjectives; 'mucho' means 'a lot' and describes verbs or nouns.)
costoso
kos-TO-sokosˈtoso
Examples
La reparación de ese coche clásico fue muy costosa.
The repair of that classic car was very costly.
Ese reloj es muy costoso.
That watch is very expensive.
Vivir en el centro de la ciudad es muy costoso.
Living in the city center is very costly.
Mantener un coche deportivo puede ser sumamente costoso.
Maintaining a sports car can be extremely expensive.
Matching the Noun
Like most words that describe things in Spanish, this one changes its ending to match the gender of the item: use 'costoso' for masculine items (un libro costoso) and 'costosa' for feminine items (una casa costosa).
Positioning
You usually put 'costoso' after the noun it describes, such as 'un regalo costoso' (an expensive gift).
Confusing with 'Costo'
Mistake: “El libro es costo.”
Correction: El libro es costoso (or caro). 'Costo' is the noun meaning 'the cost', while 'costoso' is the describing word.
elevado
eh-leh-BAH-doheleˈβaðo
Examples
Los impuestos sobre la propiedad son bastante elevados en esta ciudad.
Property taxes are quite high in this city.
El precio de la gasolina es muy elevado este mes.
The price of gasoline is very high this month.
Construyeron la casa en un terreno elevado para ver el mar.
They built the house on elevated ground to see the sea.
El corredor mantuvo un ritmo elevado durante toda la carrera.
The runner maintained a high pace throughout the whole race.
Gender and Number
This word must match the thing it describes. Use 'elevado' for masculine singular items (el precio), 'elevada' for feminine (la tasa), and add an 's' for plurals (los precios elevados).
Positioning
When you put 'elevado' after the noun, you are simply stating a fact about its level or height.
High in Height vs. High in Value
Mistake: “Using 'elevado' for a tall person.”
Correction: Use 'alto' for people's height. Use 'elevado' for things like prices, speeds, or positions in space.
precioso
preh-SYOH-sohpɾeˈθjoso
Examples
Lleva un collar con un colgante precioso de esmeralda.
She wears a necklace with a precious emerald pendant.
El anillo tiene piedras preciosas, como diamantes.
The ring has precious stones, like diamonds.
El tiempo que pasamos juntos es precioso e irrecuperable.
The time we spend together is precious and irreplaceable.
Material vs. Aesthetic Value
In this sense, 'precioso' emphasizes the high material worth (like gold or gems) or the great personal value (like time or memories), moving beyond simple physical beauty.
Caro vs. Costoso
Related Translations
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