What does it mean word for word?
The word いくら literally means 'how much' in the context of price or quantity.
Which one should you use?
While いくらですか is the standard way to ask 'How much is it?', 値段はいくらですか specifically translates to 'How much is the price?' and is used in more formal settings. For inquiring about a total, such as a final bill, いくらになりますか can be used to mean 'How much will it become?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
いくらですか is a polite and standard way to ask for a price in shops or restaurants. For more formal service settings or when seeking the total, いくらになりますか is more appropriate. In contrast, いくら？ is an informal way to ask 'How much?' and should only be used with people you know well or in very casual settings. The phrase いくらだ？」 is also informal but carries a stronger tone.
How do you pronounce it?
ikura desu ka
Did you know?
- The word いくら shares its exact pronunciation with a popular type of salmon roe served in sushi. Depending on the context, you could be asking for the price of a meal or talking about fish eggs.
- The word いくら has a hidden grammatical function beyond asking for a price. When used as a conjunction, it can mean 'no matter how much', such as in the sentence 'no matter how much I study'.
- In high-end Japanese boutiques, asking いくらですか can actually be seen as too blunt or direct. Staff in luxury settings will use much more humble, indirect language to avoid the social awkwardness of discussing money openly.
Examples in context
- すみません、この時計はいくらですか？Excuse me, how much is this watch?
- このバッグの値段はいくらですか？How much is the price of this bag?
- このゲーム、いくら？How much is this game?
- その新しいスマートフォン、いくらだ？How much does that new smartphone cost?
- これはいくらですか。How much is this?
- このりんごはいくらですか。Kono ringo wa ikura desu ka.How much is this apple?
- このかばんはいくらですか。Kono kaban wa ikura desu ka.How much is this bag?
- 全部でいくらですか。Zenbu de ikura desu ka.How much is it altogether?
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are shopping at a souvenir shop.
- 健太 Kentaすみません、このキーホルダーはいくらですか。Sumimasen, kono kiihorudaa wa ikura desu ka.Excuse me, how much is this keychain?
- 美咲 Misakiそれは五百円です。Sore wa gohyaku en desu.That is 500 yen.
- 健太 Kentaわかりました。じゃあ、これをください。Wakarimashita. Jaa, kore o kudasai.I see. In that case, I'll take this.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
