costare un capitale
Questa macchina nuova costa un capitale!
This new car costs a fortune!
To be extremely expensive; to cost a very large amount of money.
Il viaggio in Giappone mi è costato un capitale.
The trip to Japan cost me a fortune.
Questo ristorante costa un capitale, non ci torno più.
This restaurant costs an arm and a leg; I’m never going back.
Used to emphasize the high cost of something, often in a negative or exasperated tone.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use this idiom
Use 'costare un capitale' when you want to emphasize that something is prohibitively expensive. It’s often used in casual conversations to express frustration or disbelief at the price of an item or service.
Gold Rule
Avoid literal translation
Do not translate 'capitale' as 'capital' in the financial sense. Instead, interpret it as 'a fortune' or 'an arm and a leg' to convey the idiomatic meaning.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'costare' (to cost) with 'capitale' (capital, referring to wealth or money). The idiom likely emerged in the 19th century, reflecting the idea of spending a significant portion of one's financial resources.
Usage Notes
This idiom is informal and commonly used in everyday speech to express frustration or surprise at high prices. It is not typically used in formal or professional contexts.