encarecido

Encarecido is a Spanish adjective that translates to "expensive" or "costly" in English. It is the past participle of the verb encarecer, which means to make something more expensive or to praise highly. As an adjective, encarecido describes a price or value that is unusually high. For example, one might say "el coche está muy encarecido" to indicate that a car is very expensive.

The term can also be used figuratively to describe something that is highly valued or cherished. In this sense, it conveys a sense of preciousness or importance, often due to scarcity or great effort involved in obtaining it. For instance, "un consejo encarecido" could refer to a piece of advice that is highly valued and given with great sincerity.

The opposite of encarecido is "barato" or "económico," meaning cheap or inexpensive. The word's etymology links it to the Latin "incarere," meaning to put a price on or to make dear. While primarily associated with monetary cost, its broader application in Spanish allows for the expression of elevated importance or value.