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Spanish Phrase

¿Cuánto cuesta mandar esto?

/ˈkwan.to ˈkwes.ta manˈdar ˈes.to/
Meaning"How much does it cost to send this?"
💡

Meaning

A direct question asking for the price of sending a particular item. It can be used in a post office, a courier desk, or an online checkout screen when you need to know the shipping fee.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you are holding a package, looking at a shipping label, or browsing a website and you need to know how much the delivery will cost. It works in both formal (e.g., speaking to a clerk) and informal (e.g., chatting with a friend who runs a delivery service) contexts.

✦Grammar Breakdown

¿Cuántocuestamandaresto?

1

¿Cuánto?

Interrogative adjective meaning “how much”; must carry an accent on the ó.

2

cuesta

Third‑person singular of the verb costar (to cost); used for asking price of an item or service.

3

mandar

Infinitive verb meaning “to send” or “to ship”; placed after costar to indicate the action whose price is being asked.

4

esto

Demonstrative pronoun “this”; refers to the object you want to ship.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Cuánto cuesta mandar esto?

How much does it cost to send this?

Depende del peso y del destino, pero son 12 euros.

It depends on the weight and the destination, but it’s 12 euros.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • ¿Cuanto cuesta mandar esto?

    Missing accent on the interrogative word; it must be “cuánto”.

  • ¿Cuál es el costo mandar esto?

    Using the noun “costo” with “cuánto” creates a double‑question structure; say “¿Cuánto cuesta…?” not “¿Cuál es el costo…?”.

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta mandar esto?

    In some regions “enviar” is preferred for parcels; both are correct, but “mandar” sounds more colloquial.

↔Alternatives

  • ¿Cuál es el precio de enviar esto?

    What is the price to send this?

  • ¿Cuánto me cobran por mandar esto?

    How much will you charge me for sending this?

  • ¿Cuánto vale el envío de esto?

    How much does the shipping of this cost?

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Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries the term “costo de envío” is more common in written contexts (online stores, invoices), while “cuánto cuesta mandar…?” sounds natural in spoken conversation. Be aware that shipping rates can vary widely by region, weight, and speed, so it’s polite to ask for a detailed breakdown if you’re unsure.