Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Quanto custa o livro?

Quanto custa o livro?

How much does the book cost?

Breakdown of Quanto custa o livro?

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Questions & Answers about Quanto custa o livro?

Why is there no word for "does" in this sentence?

Portuguese doesn't use helping words like "do" or "does" to make questions. Instead, you just use the main verb directly. In this sentence, custa simply means "does... cost" all by itself.

Why does the verb (custa) come before the subject (o livro)?

In Portuguese questions that start with a question word like Quanto (How much), it is standard to put the verb right after the question word and before the subject. It literally translates to "How much costs the book?".

If the item were feminine, would Quanto change to Quanta?

Not in this sentence! When you are asking about a general price or amount, Quanto doesn't change. You only make it feminine or plural if you are directly asking "how many" or "how much" of a specific noun, like Quantos livros (How many books) or Quanta água (How much water).

Is there another way to ask the price of o livro?

Yes! Just like in English, you can simply use the verb ser (to be). It is very common to ask Quanto é o livro? (How much is the book?).