366　cost, price, expense和charge

1　cost 通常指物品的成本或生活费用，有时也指价格；可用于比喻，指“代价”。

The production cost has kept rising. 生产成本一直在上涨。

The cost of living is much higher now than it was two years ago. 生活费用比两年前高多了。

2　price 指商品的售价。

Eggs are sold at a high price now. 现在鸡蛋售价很高。

House prices have been falling. 房价在下跌。

What price are apples this week? 本周苹果价格如何？

3　expense 作“花费”解时，为抽象名词，其复数形式expenses，意为“费用，支出”。

I bought a new computer at my own expense . 我自己花钱买了一台新电脑。

I shall pay your traveling expenses . 你的旅行费用由我付。

4　charge 指索取的费用，尤其对提供的服务索取的费用。

There is no charge for delivery. 运送是免费的。

These are additional charges . 这些是额外的费用。

提示

提问价格时，可用what或how much与cost连用。

What does the new bike cost ? 那辆新自行车多少钱？

How much will the journey cost ? 这次旅行要花多少钱？