Coûteux

Coûteux is a French adjective meaning expensive or costly. It is derived from the verb coûter, meaning to cost. The word can be used to describe an object, a service, or an action that requires a significant amount of money. For example, "une voiture coûteuse" translates to "an expensive car," and "un voyage coûteux" means "a costly trip."

The term peut also imply something that is not only financially demanding but also potentially entails a great sacrifice or loss, beyond just monetary value. In this broader sense, it can refer to something that comes at a high price in terms of effort, time, or emotional toll. For instance, one might describe a decision made under duress as "coûteuse en regrets" (costly in regrets).

The antonym of coûteux is bon marché, meaning cheap or inexpensive. In certain contexts, coûteux can also be used colloquially to express something that is overly elaborate or ostentatious, implying a waste of resources. However, its primary and most common meaning remains related to high price.