Portuguese Phrase
Vai custar 2,50 dólares.
Meaning
The sentence states the future price of something, indicating that the cost will be two dollars and fifty cents. It uses the verb 'custa' in the future tense (vai + infinitive) to talk about a price that hasn't been paid yet.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to tell someone the price of a product or service that they will have to pay later, such as in a store, restaurant, or online transaction.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vaicustar2,50dólares
Future periphrastic (ir + infinitive)
In Portuguese, the near future is formed with the verb 'ir' conjugated in the present followed by an infinitive verb, e.g., 'vai custar' = 'will cost'.
Number formatting
In Portuguese, a comma is used as the decimal separator, so 2,50 means two and a half.
Currency word order
The currency name follows the number, just like in English: '2,50 dólares'.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto vai custar o ingresso?
How much will the ticket cost?
Vai custar 2,50 dólares.
It will cost 2.50 dollars.
✕Common Mistakes
Vai custar 2.50 dólares.
Use a comma, not a period, for decimals in Portuguese.
Vai custar dois e meio dólares.
While understandable, the standard numeric form '2,50 dólares' is preferred in everyday speech.
Vai custar 2,50 dólar.
The currency name must agree in number: 'dólares' for plural.
↔Alternatives
Custa 2,50 dólares.
It costs 2.50 dollars.
O preço será 2,50 dólares.
The price will be 2.50 dollars.
Vai sair por 2,50 dólares.
It will go for 2.50 dollars.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, prices are often quoted with the decimal comma, and the currency symbol ($) is usually placed before the amount (e.g., $2,50). When speaking to tourists, you might also hear the English word 'dólar' pronounced with a slight English accent.