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"Cuesta" is a form of "costar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cost". "Tardo" is a form of "tardar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take". Learn more about the difference between "cuesta" and "tardo" 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.
tardar(
tahr
-
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to take
No puedo creer que tardaste dos horas en llegar.I can't believe it took you two hours to get here.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be long
¿Puedo ir a la tienda, mamá? - Sí, pero no tardes.Can I go to the store, Mom? - Yes, but don't be long.
tardarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to take too much time) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
b. to take a long time
¡Cómo te tardas! ¡Apúrate ya!You're taking such a long time! Hurry up already!
