costar
Lemma Details
Translation: to cost; to be difficult; to cause trouble; to require effort
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'constare', meaning 'to stand together' or 'to be established', which evolved to mean 'to have a certain value'. The Latin root 'con-' (together) + 'stare' (to stand) is related to English words like 'constant', 'constitute', and 'cost'. The semantic shift from 'standing firmly' to 'having a price' reflects how value was established in ancient commerce.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'costar' as related to English 'cost' with an 'ar' ending typical of Spanish verbs.
- Remember that 'costar trabajo' means 'to be difficult' by thinking of something difficult as 'costing' you effort or work (trabajo).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, discussing prices and costs is common in everyday transactions, but haggling is more acceptable in markets than in established stores. The expression 'costar un ojo de la cara' (to cost an eye from the face) is a common idiom equivalent to the English 'to cost an arm and a leg'.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'costar' means 'to cost' or 'to be difficult', 'constar' means 'to be composed of' or 'to be recorded/noted'.
Notes: Both verbs share Latin etymology from 'constare', but evolved with different meanings.
Mnemonic: 'Costar' has to do with cost (precio), while 'constar' has to do with composition (partes).
Explanation: 'Costar' means 'to cost', while 'acostar' (reflexive: 'acostarse') means 'to put to bed' or 'to go to bed'.
This word:
Me costó mucho trabajo terminar el proyecto.
It was very difficult for me to finish the project.
Notes: The reflexive form 'acostarse' (to go to bed) is more common than the transitive 'acostar' (to put someone to bed).
Mnemonic: Think of 'acostar' as 'a + costar', where 'a' changes the meaning to something completely different related to lying down.