이거 얼마예요?
igeo eolmayeyo?
In Korean, "how much is this?" is said as 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?)
This phrase is used to ask for the price of an item. You can modify the subject to change what you are referring to: replace 이거 (this) with 그거 (that thing near you) or 저거 (that thing far from both of us).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 이거, which literally means "this thing" or "this one" and 얼마예요?, which means "how much is it?" Within that second part, 얼마 means "how much" and 예요 is the polite form of the verb "to be".
Which one should you use?
The polite form 이거 얼마예요? is used for general inquiries, while the informal version 이거 얼마야? is used only with close friends or people younger than you.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
이거 얼마예요? is in the polite style, making it appropriate for use with shopkeepers and strangers. In contrast, 이거 얼마야? is the informal version used only with close friends or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the polite ending -예요, which is used after nouns that end in a vowel.
How do you pronounce it?
igeo eolmayeyo?
Did you know?
- When asking 이거 얼마예요?, pointing with a whole hand rather than a single index finger is considered more polite in Korean culture.
- In traditional Korean markets, you might hear the phrase 깎아 주세요 used immediately after 이거 얼마예요?, which is a polite request for a discount.
- If a shopkeeper answers with a number ending in 원 (won), they are referring to the national currency, which is one of the few world currencies that doesn't use a decimal subunit like cents.
Examples in context
- 이거 얼마예요?igeo eolmayeyo?How much is this?
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-u are shopping at a traditional market.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 이거 얼마예요?Hyeon-u ssi, igeo eolmayeyo?Hyeon-u, how much is this?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo만 원이에요.Man won-ieyo.It is ten thousand won.
- 지은 Ji-eun조금 비싸네요.Jogeum bissaneyo.It's a bit expensive.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 조금 깎아달라고 해요.Geureom jogeum kkak-adallago haeyo.Then ask for a discount.
