Portuguese Phrase
Custam $1,50 cada um.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that each item being discussed costs one dollar and fifty cents. It is a concise way to give a unit price when several identical objects are on the table.
When to use
Use this phrase in shops, markets, or online listings when you need to state the price per unit of a group of items – for example, when a customer asks how much a set of pens costs.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Custam$1,50cadaum.
Verb 'custar' (present)
‘Custam’ is the third‑person plural present of ‘custar’ (to cost), used because the implied subject is plural (e.g., ‘eles’ – they).
Currency format
In Portuguese the decimal separator is a comma, so $1,50 means one dollar and fifty cents.
‘cada um’ construction
‘Cada’ is singular and is always followed by a singular noun or pronoun; together they mean ‘each one’. The verb still agrees with the plural idea that more than one item is being talked about.
Subject‑verb agreement
Even though ‘cada um’ looks singular, the verb stays plural when the context clearly refers to several items.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto custam esses livros?
How much do these books cost?
Custam $1,50 cada um.
They cost $1.50 each.
✕Common Mistakes
Custa $1,50 cada um.
‘Custa’ is singular; the subject is plural, so the verb must be ‘custam’.
Custam $1,50 cada uns.
‘Cada’ never takes a plural noun; use ‘cada um’ (singular) or ‘todos’ (plural).
Custam $1.50 cada um.
In Portuguese the decimal separator is a comma, not a period.
↔Alternatives
Cada um custa $1,50.
Each one costs $1.50.
São $1,50 por unidade.
It’s $1.50 per unit.
O preço é $1,50 por item.
The price is $1.50 per item.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil the real (R$) is the official currency, so you would normally hear ‘R$ 1,50’. When speaking Portuguese, always use a comma as the decimal separator. Also, ‘custar’ is used for price, while ‘valer’ can be used for value or worth, e.g., ‘Vale R$ 1,50’. Keep the tone polite – adding ‘por favor’ or ‘obrigado’ makes the exchange smoother.