The Versatile Verb “Costar”: A Practical Guide to Expressing Difficulty in Spanish

The verb “costar” is an essential tool in Spanish when we want to express that something is challenging or difficult. Its usage is straightforward yet effective, fitting seamlessly into everyday situations. Here’s a detailed guide to mastering this verb in your conversations.

Singular vs. Plural Usage

Usage Example in Spanish Translation
Singular Me cuesta dormir. I find it hard to sleep.
Plural Me cuestan las matemáticas. Math is difficult for me.

How to Conjugate “Costar” for Different Subjects

Person Singular Plural Translation
First Person Me cuesta Me cuestan I find it/they difficult.
Nos cuesta Nos cuestan We find it/they difficult.
Second Person Te cuesta Te cuestan You find it/they difficult.
Os cuesta Os cuestan You all find it/they difficult.
Third Person Le cuesta Le cuestan He/She/You (formal) finds it/they difficult.
Les cuesta Les cuestan They/You (plural, formal) find it/they difficult.

Practical Examples

Example in Spanish Translation
Me cuesta hablar español. I find it hard to speak Spanish.
Te cuestan los verbos. Verbs challenge you.
Nos cuestan las preposiciones. We struggle with prepositions.

Other Ways to Talk About Difficulties

Expression Example in Spanish Translation
Personal Challenge Para mí, lo más difícil es entender a la gente. For me, understanding people is the hardest.
Frustration Lo paso fatal cuando no entiendo las bromas. I feel awful when I don’t get jokes.
Insecurity Me siento inseguro cuando hablo con nativos. I feel nervous speaking with native speakers.

Tips for Mastering “Costar”

Tip Example
Pay Attention to Agreement Make sure the verb matches in singular/plural.
Add Context Me cuesta hablar rápido en español. (I find speaking quickly in Spanish difficult).
Variety in Expression Me resulta difícil… (It’s hard for me…).
Tengo problemas con… (I have trouble with…).
Me esfuerzo en… (I put effort into…).

Learning to use “costar” correctly will not only enrich your vocabulary but also allow you to express your challenges and achievements in learning Spanish more precisely. Practice it, and you’ll see your fluency improve!