costear

to fund

verb kos-teh-AHR Rare

Also means

to afford

Usage Note

Costear means to cover or finance a cost, often implying bearing the expense personally: costear los estudios (to fund one's studies). The reflexive costearse emphasises paying for oneself. It differs from pagar (to pay) in that it specifically highlights bearing the full financial burden over time. A secondary nautical sense (to coast, sail along the shore) exists but is rare in everyday speech.

Examples

"Sus padres costearon los estudios."

Natural Translation

His parents funded his studies.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "I Like" in Spanish: Gustar Without the Confusion

Say I like in Spanish with gustar the right way: me gusta vs me gustan, why it's never yo gusto, the pronouns, articles, and five verbs that copy the pattern.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read