vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Costar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cost", and "asistir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to attend". Learn more about the difference between "costar" and "asistir" below.
costar(
kohs
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to be hard
Me costó decirle la verdad, pero sabía que tenía que hacerlo.It was hard to tell him the truth, but I knew that I had to do it.
asistir(
ah
-
sees
-
teer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (to observe)
a. to witness
Estamos asistiendo al comienzo de una nueva era.We are witnessing the beginning of a new era.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (to help)
a. to attend to
La enfermera me asistió porque era una urgencia.The nurse attended to me because it was an emergency.