Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say prices in Japanese! Whether you are planning a trip to Japan or simply interested in learning the language, understanding how to talk about prices is essential for any visitor or learner. In this guide, we will cover both the formal and informal ways to express prices in Japanese. We will also provide various tips, examples, and a brief overview of regional variations.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Prices
When it comes to formal situations, such as business transactions and polite interactions, you should use the following expressions:
1. Expressing Whole Numbers
To express prices using whole numbers, you can simply state the number and add the word for the Japanese currency, which is “yen” (pronounced as “en” in Japanese) at the end. Here’s an example:
Ichiman en (10,000 yen)
In this example, “ichiman” means “ten thousand,” and “en” indicates the currency.
2. Expressing Decimals and Fractions
For prices that involve decimals or fractions, you can use the word “ten” (pronounced as “ten” in Japanese) to denote the decimal point. Here’s an example:
Sanbyaku nijuu en (320 yen)
In this case, “san” means “three,” “hyaku” means “hundred,” “nijuu” means “twenty,” and “en” remains the currency.
3. Asking for Prices
If you want to ask for the price of something in a formal manner, you can use the following phrases:
Ikuradesu ka? (How much is it?)
Kore wa ikuradesu ka? (How much is this?)
These expressions are polite and commonly used in various contexts such as shops, markets, or restaurants.
4. Receiving the Price
Once you are informed about the price, you can respond politely by saying “arigatou gozaimasu” (thank you very much) or simply “hai” (yes) to indicate your acceptance.
Informal Ways to Say Prices
When it comes to casual situations, such as talking to friends or peers, you have more flexibility in expressing prices. Here are some informal ways to talk about prices:
1. Dropping the Currency
In informal conversations, it is common to drop the mention of the currency “yen” to make your speech more concise. Using the previous examples, here’s how you can express prices:
Ichiman (10,000)
Sanbyaku nijuu (320)
Just by omitting “en,” the currency, these expressions become informal.
2. Using Slang
In casual conversations, some slang terms are commonly used to refer to prices. One example is “oku” (pronounced as “oh-koo”), which means 10,000 yen. This slang term is popular among friends and younger individuals. Here’s an example:
Gohyaku en? Oku ja nai? (500 yen? Isn’t it too expensive?)
Please note that using slang depends on the formality of the situation and your relationship with the person you are speaking to. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings.
3. Informal Price Questions and Replies
In casual contexts, you can modify the formal phrases for asking and receiving prices to sound more informal. Here’s how:
Ikura? (How much is it?)
Kore, ikura? (How much is this?)
For responding to the price in an informal way, you can simply say “arigatou” (thank you) or “un” (yeah, sure).
Regional Variations
While the expressions mentioned above are widely used throughout Japan, there are some regional variations in dialects and word choices. Here’s a brief overview:
1. Kansai Dialect
In the Kansai region, which includes cities like Osaka and Kyoto, people tend to use the word “okane” instead of “en” to refer to money. For example:
Ichiman okane (10,000 yen)
Additionally, instead of “ikuradesu ka,” people might say “ikura?” when asking for the price.
2. Tohoku Dialect
In the Tohoku region, which includes cities like Sendai and Aomori, people may use the word “tane” instead of “en” to mean money. Here’s an example:
Gohyaku tane (500 yen)
Although these dialect words are less common, being aware of these regional variations can enrich your understanding of Japanese culture and language.
Conclusion
Congratulations on familiarizing yourself with the various ways to say prices in Japanese! Remember to adjust your speech based on the formality of the situation and your relationship with the person you are speaking to. Whether you use formal expressions or opt for a more casual approach, practicing these phrases will enhance your communication skills and cultural understanding during your stay or interactions with Japanese speakers.
