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Costo vs. spesa

Word practice demo
Costo and spesa are Italian words that both relate to expenses, but they have subtle differences in usage and context.

Costo

A1
Costo typically refers to the price or cost of a specific item or service. It often indicates the monetary value required to acquire something.
Il costo del biglietto è di 10 euro.
(The cost of the ticket is 10 euros.)
Qual è il costo di produzione di questo articolo?
(What is the production cost of this item?)

Spesa

A2
Spesa generally refers to an expense or expenditure in a broader sense. It can indicate the act of spending money or the amount spent, often used for ongoing or recurring expenses.
Le spese mensili per l'affitto sono alte.
(The monthly expenses for rent are high.)
Devo fare la spesa al supermercato.
(I need to do the grocery shopping at the supermarket.)

Summary

While costo is more specific and often refers to the price of a particular item or service, spesa is broader and can encompass various types of expenses or the act of spending itself. Costo is typically used for one-time or fixed costs, while spesa can refer to ongoing or variable expenses.