coste
nounCEFR B2High frequency
What does “coste” mean in English?
cost, toll — the amount of money or suffering required or caused
cost, toll — the amount of money or suffering required or caused (el coste humano/económico; a un coste elevado)
Example sentences
El coste humano de la pandemia no puede medirse únicamente en términos económicos ni estadísticos.
The human toll of the pandemic cannot be measured solely in economic or statistical terms.
La automatización reduce los costes de producción, pero puede aumentar el desempleo estructural.
Automation reduces production costs, but can increase structural unemployment.
Renovar el edificio histórico tuvo un coste superior al presupuestado por el exceso de obras imprevistas.
Renovating the historic building had a cost higher than budgeted due to unforeseen construction overruns.
How to use it
El coste (noun, masculine) means 'cost, toll' — the price paid or the sacrifice involved. Core B2 collocations: el coste de la vida; coste humano/económico; a un coste elevado; coste social/medioambiental; reducir/asumir los costes. Also costo in Latin America. The adjective is costoso. Distinguish from precio (price — the market amount), gasto (expenditure — an amount spent), and pérdida (loss — a specific shortfall).
Common mistake
Coste (Spain) vs. costo (Latin America) — both correct, coste is preferred in Peninsular Spanish. 'Cost of living' = coste de la vida. 'Costless' = sin coste/gratuito. Don't use *costo in formal Peninsular writing.