いくらですか？
ikura desu ka?
The English phrase "how much does it cost?" is translated into Japanese as いくらですか？ (ikura desu ka?)
This phrase is used to ask for the price of an item. You can specify an object by adding これは (this is) to the beginning, resulting in これはいくらですか？ (how much is this?).
What does it mean word for word?
The word いくら literally means "how much" when used as an interrogative.
Which one should you use?
You can use 値段はいくらですか to specifically ask "what is the price?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes based on how you structure the phrase. いくらですか？ is a formal way to ask the price. For a more polite and sophisticated tone, you can add the honorific prefix お to the beginning of the word, making it おいくらですか？ In informal settings, such as when speaking with friends or family, you can make the phrase informal by dropping the ですか to say いくら？ or by using the form いくらだ.
How do you pronounce it?
ikura desu ka?
Did you know?
- If you say いくら to a person in a restaurant, they might think you are talking about 'salmon roe' rather than asking for a price. The word for the orange fish eggs is spelled and pronounced exactly the same way.
- In Japan, it is customary to place money on a small plastic tray provided by the cashier rather than handing it directly to them. This ensures the transaction remains hygienic and organized.
- The Japanese language has a specific word for the feeling of 'pricey' or 'too expensive' called 高い, which is the same word used to describe a 'tall' building.
Examples in context
- すみません、このかばん、いくらですか？Excuse me, how much is this bag?
- チケットの値段はいくらですか？What is the price of the ticket?
- あのTシャツ、いくらだ？How much is that T-shirt?
- この本、いくら？How much is this book?
- このりんごは いくらですか？Kono ringo wa ikura desu ka?How much is this apple?
- 全部で いくらですか？Zenbu de ikura desu ka?How much is it in total?
- そのバッグは いくらですか？Sono baggu wa ikura desu ka?How much is that bag?
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are shopping at a local market.
- 健太 Kentaこの帽子は いくらですか？Kono boushi wa ikura desu ka?How much is this hat?
- 結衣 Yui二千円です。Ni-sen en desu.It is 2,000 yen.
- 健太 Kentaちょっと高いですね。Chotto takai desu ne.That's a little expensive, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、とても良い品物ですよ。Hai, totemo yoi shinmono desu yo.Yes, it is a very good item.
