Italian Phrase
Quanto costa per i bambini?
Meaning
This question asks for the price that applies to children. It’s commonly used in contexts like museums, public transport, restaurants, or any service that offers a reduced rate for kids.
When to use
Use it when you need to know the cost of a ticket, meal, or service for a child or a group of children. It works both in formal settings (e.g., at a ticket office) and informal ones (e.g., asking a waiter).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quantocostaperibambini?
Quanto (interrogative adverb)
Used to ask about quantity or price; it does not change with gender or number.
costa (verb costare)
Third‑person singular present of costare ‘to cost’; the subject is understood from context.
per (preposition)
Introduces the beneficiary or target of the price – here ‘for the children’.
i bambini (definite article + noun)
The plural masculine noun ‘children’ requires the definite article i when used in a specific sense.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto costa per i bambini?
How much does it cost for the children?
Per i bambini è 8 euro.
For the children it’s 8 euros.
✕Common Mistakes
Quanto costa a i bambini?
The preposition ‘a’ is not used with ‘costa’ when you’re asking the price for someone; just use ‘per’.
Quanto costa per bambini?
When referring to a specific group, the definite article ‘i’ is required.
Quanto costare per i bambini?
Do not use the infinitive ‘costare’; you need the conjugated form ‘costa’.
↔Alternatives
Qual è il prezzo per i bambini?
What is the price for the children?
Quanto pagano i bambini?
How much do the children pay?
Che costo ha per i bambini?
What cost does it have for the children?
Cultural Tip
In Italy many museums, cinemas, and public transport offer a ‘tariffa bambini’ (children’s rate) that is often half the adult price. It’s polite to ask for the children’s price before buying, and Italians appreciate a friendly tone – a simple smile and “per favore” can go a long way.