Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ile | /ˈi.lɛ/ /ˈi.lɛ/ (Middle, Polish) |
| ile kosztuje |
ile is used to ask about the cost or price of something. It can also be used to ask for a quantity of both uncountable things (how much) and countable things (how many). A common, shortened way to ask for the price of an item in a shop or market is using the construction Ile za [noun]?
Which one should you use?
The form ile is the general word for how much or how many, while ile kosztuje specifically means "how much it costs".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ile works for both uncountable and countable quantities. When using the phrase ile kosztuje, you are using the singular form of the verb to ask about the price of a single item. If you are asking how much multiple items cost, you must change the verb to the plural form ile kosztują.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈi.lɛ/.
When do people say it?
When discussing prices, remember that the plural form of the Polish currency is złote.
Did you know?
- When using ile at a traditional Polish street market, it is common to enter a negotiation where the first price quoted is an invitation to haggle.
- The word ile descends from the Proto-Slavic form *jelě, which was used across early Slavic tribes to denote quantity.
- The phrase ile kosztuje can be used figuratively to ask about the emotional or personal toll of a decision, such as 'how much did this victory cost you?'
Examples in context
- Ile za te spodnie?How much do the trousers cost?This sentence shows how to use ile to ask for the price of an item.Tatoeba #6157965 by arie, translation #6157146 by amoeba
- Ile jestem ci winna?How much do I owe you?This sentence uses ile to ask about an amount owed.Tatoeba #1170259 by hebrajska, translation #257062 by CK
- Ile za to zapłaciłeś?How much did you pay for this?This sentence uses ile to ask about a past payment.Tatoeba #3011921 by jeedrek, translation #2912576 by CK
- 137 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Paweł and Małgorzata are at a local farmers' market.
- PawełIle kosztuje ten chleb?How much does this bread cost?
- MałgorzataTo będzie cztery złote.That will be four zlotys.
- PawełA ile za kilogram jabłek?And how much for a kilogram of apples?
- MałgorzataPięć złotych za kilogram.Five zlotys per kilogram.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how much” translations and entries ile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
