これはいくらですか
kore wa ikura desu ka
In Japanese, "how much does this cost?" is said as これはいくらですか (kore wa ikura desu ka).
The phrase これはいくらですか is the standard, polite way to ask for a price in shops and restaurants. It is a common and straightforward way to ask about the cost of a specific item.
What does it mean word for word?
The word いくら specifically means "how much" when referring to a price or quantity.
Which one should you use?
Using それはいくらですか instead of これはいくらですか changes the meaning from "this" (near the speaker) to "that" (near the listener).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more respectful way to ask about the price, you can use おいくらですか, which adds an honorific prefix. In casual settings or when speaking with close friends, you can use the informal これ、いくら？ by dropping the は and ですか.
How do you pronounce it?
kore wa ikura desu ka
Did you know?
- The word いくら also means 'salmon roe' when written with different kanji. While you use it to ask for a price, if you see it on a menu, you might be ordering a delicious fish delicacy.
- While いくら asks for price, the word どのくらい is used to ask 'how much' when referring to time or distance.
- If a clerk responds with いくらでも, they are not telling you the price, but saying 'as many as you like' or 'any amount'.
Examples in context
- このドレスはおいくらですか？How much does this dress cost (polite)?
- このゲームはいくら？How much does this game cost?
- このパンの値段はいくら？How much does this bread cost?
- これはいくらですか。Kore wa ikura desu ka?How much is this?
Example conversation
Yui is shopping for a gift at a small boutique.
- 結衣 Yuiすみません、これはいくらですか。Sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka?Excuse me, how much does this cost?
- 健太 Kentaそれは三千円です。Sore wa sanzen-en desu.That is three thousand yen.
- 結衣 Yui少し高いですね。Sukoshi takai desu ne.It is a little expensive, isn't it?
- 健太 Kentaはい、とても良い品です。Hai, totemo yoi shina desu.Yes, it is a very good item.
