quant'è?
In Italian, "what is the price?" is expressed as quant'è?
quant'è? is a question used to ask how much something costs. It is most commonly used in casual, rapid-fire transactions like at a market or a small shop.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quant'è? is a contraction of quanto è?, which literally means "how much is it?"
Which one should you use?
While quant'è? is a short, elliptical way to ask for a price, Quanto costa? is a more standard, complete way to ask for a price compared to the more elliptical quant'è?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal situations, you can use Scusi, qual è il prezzo? to say "Excuse me, what is the price?" or Potrebbe gentilmente dirmi il prezzo? to say "Could you kindly tell me the price?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase quant'è? uses an apostrophe to elide the final o of quanto before the vowel in è.
Did you know?
- If a price is unexpectedly high, an Italian might respond to quant'è? by saying è un salasso, which literally means 'it is a bloodletting'.
- In very traditional settings, asking for the price too early when browsing luxury goods can be seen as lacking 'sprezzatura' or effortless elegance.
- The concept of 'price' is tied to the word prezzo, which shares a root with the English word 'prize'.
Examples in context
- Scusi, qual è il prezzo di questo vestito?Excuse me, what is the price of this dress?
- Quanto costa questa piattiera?How much does this plate holder cost?
- Mi può dire il prezzo di un cono di gelato al pistacchio?Can you tell me the price of a pistachio ice cream cone?
Example conversation
Giulia is buying a coffee from Lorenzo at a cafe.
- GiuliaVorrei un caffè, per favore.I would like a coffee, please.
- LorenzoEcco a te, Giulia.Here you go, Giulia.
- GiuliaGrazie, quant'è?Thanks, how much is it?
- LorenzoSono un euro e venti.It is one euro twenty.
