Portuguese Phrase
Te custa acordar?
Meaning
This phrase uses the verb 'custar' to express the difficulty or effort required to do something. While 'custar' usually refers to the price of an item, in this idiomatic sense, it means 'to be difficult' or 'to be a struggle'.
When to use
This is a common informal question used among friends or family members to discuss morning routines. It is particularly used when someone seems tired or is known for sleeping through their alarm.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tecustaacordar?
Custar meaning
When followed by an infinitive, 'custar' indicates that the action is difficult for the person involved.
Object Pronoun
The pronoun 'te' refers to 'you' (informal) and acts as the recipient of the 'cost' or difficulty.
🗨In Conversation
Te custa acordar cedo para ir trabalhar?
Is it hard for you to wake up early to go to work?
Sim, eu preciso de três despertadores!
Yes, I need three alarm clocks!
✕Common Mistakes
Você custa acordar?
In this construction, 'custar' requires an object pronoun like 'te' or 'lhe' rather than a subject pronoun like 'você'.
Te custa para acordar?
The preposition 'para' is not needed between 'custa' and the infinitive verb 'acordar'.
↔Alternatives
É difícil para você acordar?
Is it difficult for you to wake up?
Você tem dificuldade em acordar?
Do you have difficulty waking up?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, using 'custar' to describe difficulty is very common and sounds more natural than the literal 'é difícil' in many casual settings. Note that while 'Te' is used at the start of the sentence in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, formal grammar would prefer the pronoun after the verb.