hvad koster det?
The Danish phrase for "how much is it?" is hvad koster det?
This phrase is used to ask for the price of an item.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hvad (what), koster (costs) and det (it).
Which one should you use?
You can also use the common alternative hvor meget koster det?, which uses hvor meget (how much) instead of hvad (what).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are asking about multiple items, you must change the pronoun to the plural form de (they) in the phrase hvad koster de?
Did you know?
- The word det in hvad koster det? is a neutral pronoun, but if you are asking about a 'common-gender' noun, you must use den to avoid sounding unnatural to a native speaker.
- The verb koster shares the same root as the English word 'cost', but in Danish, the phrase det koster can also be used to describe a high emotional or physical toll, not just money.
- Danish-speaking shoppers often use a single word, Prisen? (The price?), which functions as a shorthand for the entire phrase in busy environments.
Examples in context
- Hvad koster det?How much does it cost?
