Forums > Specific Focus > Learning Spanish

kfaulk

Sep 4, 2012, 8:55 PM

Post #1 of 6 (4354 views)

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Cuanto cuesta vs cuanto sale

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I am an American, but I was raised in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. In the DR, when asking how much something costs, they would say, "a cuanto sale?" or "cuanto sale?" In Costa Rica, however, they use "cuanto cuesta?" and I never heard anyone in CR say "cuanto sale?" When looking them up, they are both correct. I am just wondering if they are regional, or if it was just purely which was more common. A Costa Rican told me that they had never heard "canto sale" before. I find that very unusual. Is "cuanto sale" more of a Caribbean phrase, maybe?

sioux4noff

Sep 4, 2012, 9:07 PM

Post #2 of 6 (4345 views)

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Re: [kfaulk] Cuanto cuesta vs cuanto sale

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I hear both in the Puerto Vallarta area.

mazbook1

Sep 4, 2012, 9:53 PM

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Re: [sioux4noff] Cuanto cuesta vs cuanto sale

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And here in el norte (Sinaloa) I hear mostly just, "¿cuánto?" Of course that is for "things". For services, e.g., taxi, doctor, barber and others, "¿Cuanto me cobra para/hasta/etc.…?" Or, "What are you going to charge me for this service?". It always gets a double-take, as few Mexicans expect a gringo to know that usage.

Not to change the subject, but that double-take becomes a great big grin (and a better price) most of the time. Very similar to to the double-take and grin I get when someone asks me, "¿Habla español?" and I reply, "Me defiendo."

(This post was edited by mazbook1 on Sep 4, 2012, 9:55 PM)

Maesonna

Sep 5, 2012, 11:18 AM

Post #4 of 6 (4309 views)

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Re: [kfaulk] Cuanto cuesta vs cuanto sale

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I would say or expect to hear “¿Cuánto sale?” in a context where the final price needs to be calculated (e.g., total price based on the quantity being bought or the amount of labour being carried out); sort of equivalent to “How much does it work out to?”

La Isla

Sep 5, 2012, 12:51 PM

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Re: [Maesonna] Cuanto cuesta vs cuanto sale

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In Mexico City I've heard (and use) ¿Cuánto vale?

esperanza

Sep 6, 2012, 6:13 AM

Post #6 of 6 (4276 views)

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Re: [kfaulk] Cuanto cuesta vs cuanto sale

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Cuánto cuesta is universal everywhere in Mexico, in markets, stores, etc. I believe that cuánto sale is missing a piece...what I hear is a (or en) cuánto sale.

There are numerous other ways to ask the price of a thing. Another poster suggested cuánto vale. I also often hear a cómo se da...qué precio tiene...qué valor tiene...cuánto es...etc.

When we listen to what people are saying when we and they are shopping, it's an easy way to pick up more Spanish.

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