What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 저거, which literally means "that thing over there," and 얼마예요?, which means "how much is it?" This is formed by combining 얼마 (how much) and 예요 (is/am/are).
Which one should you use?
The word 저거 literally means 'that thing over there,' referring to an object far from both the speaker and the listener. If the item is close to you, the speaker, use 이거 instead. 그거 얼마예요? is a formal way to ask "how much is that?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
저거 얼마예요? is in the polite style, making it appropriate for use with shopkeepers and strangers. For a polite way to ask "how much is this?", you can use 이거 얼마인가요? If you are speaking to close friends or people younger than you, you can use the informal version 저거 얼마야?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ending -예요 is used because the preceding word 얼마 ends in a vowel.
How do you pronounce it?
jeogeo eolmayeyo?
Did you know?
- If a shopkeeper answers your question with 서비스예요, it does not mean the price is zero because of a sale, but that the item is a 'service' gift given for free with your purchase.
- In traditional Korean markets, instead of just asking 얼마예요?, people often use the word 깎아주세요 (please discount it) to start a friendly negotiation.
- Korean has a three-way system for 'this' and 'that' based on distance. While 이거 is 'this' and 저거 is 'that over there', 그거 is used for something close to the listener or something already mentioned in conversation.
Examples in context
- 그 셔츠 얼마예요?How much is that shirt?
- 저거 얼마예요?jeogeo eolmayeyo?How much is that?
- 저거 얼마예요? 너무 비싸요.jeogeo eolmayeyo? neomu bissayo.How much is that? It is too expensive.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are shopping at a street market.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 저거 얼마예요?Minji ssi, jeogeo eolmayeyo?Minji, how much is that?
- 민지 Min-ji만 원이에요.man wonieyo.It is ten thousand won.
- 지훈 Ji-hun진짜 싸네요!jinjja ssaneyo!That is really cheap!
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 지훈 씨가 사세요.geureom Jihoon ssi-ga saseyo.Then Jihoon, you should buy it.
