Italian Phrase
Quanto costa la caparra?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for the price of the deposit that must be paid before a service or a rental agreement is finalized. It is a practical question you’ll hear in apartments, hotels, or any situation that requires a security payment.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are negotiating a rental contract, booking a vacation home, or any transaction where a security deposit (caparra) is required. It works both in formal settings (with a landlord) and informal ones (with a private host).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quantocostalacaparra?
Quanto (interrogative adverb)
Used to ask about quantity or price; it does not change with gender or number.
costa (present indicative of costare)
Third‑person singular form meaning “costs”. The verb costare is regular in the present tense.
la caparra (definite article + noun)
‘Caparra’ is a feminine noun meaning a deposit or down‑payment; the article agrees in gender.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto costa la caparra?
How much does the deposit cost?
La caparra è 500 euro.
The deposit is 500 euros.
✕Common Mistakes
Quanto costo la caparra?
‘Costo’ is a noun (the cost). The verb form needed here is ‘costa’.
La caparra è quanto?
The word order is unnatural; the interrogative adverb should come first.
Quanto è la caparra?
Grammatically acceptable but less common; native speakers prefer ‘Quanto costa la caparra?’ when asking about price.
↔Alternatives
Qual è l'importo della caparra?
What is the amount of the deposit?
Quanto devo pagare per la caparra?
How much do I have to pay for the deposit?
Quanto è la caparra?
How much is the deposit?
Cultural Tip
In Italy a ‘caparra’ is usually equal to one‑to‑three months’ rent and is paid before you move in. It can be either a refundable security deposit (caparra confirmatoria) or a non‑refundable booking fee (caparra confirmatoria). Make sure you get a written receipt, because the landlord can keep the caparra only if you break the contract according to the terms agreed.