How do you say "too expensive" in Spanish?

Question

I am particularly interested how the word "too" is translated. Do you say "demasiado" or perhaps something else? When asking residents of the Dominican Republic, the offered translation was "muy caro" which to me not really seems to reflect the intent of "too expensive".

Answer 1

While "demasiado" is strictly more accurate, meaning "too (much)", there is the question of usage and my experience in Spain and several Latin American countries is that everyone actually says "muy caro" as they turn away and go somewhere else.

In fact the only person I ever heard say "demasiado caro" was me until I learnt better.

...and another thought strikes me which is that by saying "demasiado" you cut yourself off from the next round of bargaining which so often follows the "muy caro" gambit.

Yet another take on it. If you can't afford what your husband/wife dearly wants to buy it's "demasiado caro"; if you're in the store or on the phone buying it's "muy caro" in hopes that they'll give you a discount.

Answer 2

Hi and welcome to the SpanishDict forum.

You're right "demasiado" is the word to use here.

I'd say:

"Este libro es demasiado caro." This book is too expensive.

Answer 3

Yes, from the little that I've learned so far.....

Demasiado(a) is the correct word.

"Esta camiseta es demasiada cara" - This shirt is too expensive. Marianne is correct but books are usually worth is, verdad? We wouldn't be here if we didn't love to study.

True...I haven't found a book that was too expensive for me yet! - --Mariana--, Apr 23, 2010

Answer 4

You can also say for example:

"¡Este libro es tan caro!" ( This book is so expensive!)

Answer 5

Se dice como :

¡Uh! es muy caro. = Oh! It´s very expensive.

¡Uh! es muy cara.

y este depende a la cosa si este masculino (El vestido, el gorro) O si esta feminino (La camisa, la molta..etc)