Spanish Phrase
Está un poco caro.
Meaning
The sentence means “It’s a little expensive.” It indicates that the price of something is higher than expected, but not excessively so. The word “poco” softens the criticism, suggesting the speaker might still consider buying it.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re commenting on the cost of a product, service, ticket, or any item whose price feels a bit high. It works in casual conversations with friends, in a shop while negotiating, or even in a polite complaint to a waiter or salesperson.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Estáunpococaro
Estar (temporary state)
Use “estar” to describe a temporary condition, such as price, rather than a permanent characteristic.
Un poco (a little)
“Un poco” softens the adjective, indicating a small degree.
Caro (expensive)
An adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes; here it is masculine singular because the implied noun (el precio) is masculine.
🗨In Conversation
¿Te gusta la chaqueta?
Do you like the jacket?
Sí, pero está un poco caro.
Yes, but it’s a little expensive.
✕Common Mistakes
Es un poco caro.
Use “estar” for temporary states like price; “es” sounds like a permanent quality.
Está un poco cara.
The adjective must match the gender of the implied noun (el precio, masculine).
Está un un poco caro.
Avoid adding an extra article before “poco” (e.g., “un un poco”).
↔Alternatives
Es un poco caro.
It’s a little expensive.
Cuesta un poco más de lo que esperaba.
It costs a bit more than I expected.
Me parece algo caro.
It seems somewhat expensive to me.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, directly saying something is “caro” can be seen as blunt. Adding “un poco” or “algo” makes the comment softer and more polite, especially when speaking to a vendor. In some regions, you might also hear “está algo caro” or “está bastante caro” for stronger emphasis.