それはいくらですか？
sore wa ikura desu ka?
The phrase "how much is that?" in Japanese is expressed as それはいくらですか？ (sore wa ikura desu ka?)
This phrase is used to ask for the price of a specific item. While それはいくらですか？ refers to an object near the listener, you can also use これ (this) if the item is near you.
Which one should you use?
The choice of pronoun depends on the physical location of the item. Use これ (this) if the item is near you, the speaker, instead of near the listener. Additionally, if the item being discussed is already clear from the context, you can omit the subject それは and simply say いくらですか？ to be polite.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
それはいくらですか？ is the formal way to ask the price. For casual settings or when speaking with friends, you can use the informal version それはいくら？ by dropping the desu ka.
How do you pronounce it?
sore wa ikura desu ka?
Did you know?
- The word いくら (ikura) is also the name of a popular Japanese delicacy consisting of salmon roe. While it is a common question word, it is also something you might find as a topping on your sushi.
- Japanese has a specific concept called kore-sore-are, a three-way system of pronouns that depends on whether the object is near the speaker, the listener, or far from both.
- A polite response to いくらですか？ often includes a physical bow from the shopkeeper. The gesture serves as a non-verbal part of the transaction to show respect to the customer.
Examples in context
- それはいくらですか？sore wa ikura desu ka?How much is that?
- すみません、それはいくらですか？sumimasen, sore wa ikura desu ka?Excuse me, how much is that?
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are shopping for souvenirs.
- 蓮 Ren蓮：それはいくらですか？Sore wa ikura desu ka?How much is that?
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：それは五百円です。Sore wa gohyaku-en desu.That is 500 yen.
- 蓮 Ren蓮：いいですね。買います。Ii desu ne. Kaimasu.That's good. I'll buy it.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵：いい買い物ですね。Ii kaimono desu ne.That's a good purchase.
