Inquiring About Prices in Japanese Using “ikura desuka” (いくらですか)
“Ikura desuka” (いくらですか) is a straightforward and essential phrase when shopping in Japan, meaning “How much does it cost?” The term “ikura” (いくら) queries the price, while “desu ka” (ですか) forms the question. For inquiries about quantity, use “ikutsu desuka” (いくつですか), meaning “How many?”
Pronunciation:
いくらですか – Ikura desuka: How much does it cost?
いくつですか – Ikutsu desuka : How many?
For instance, if you’re looking to buy grapes in a market, ask:
- このぶどうは一ついくらですか。
Kono budou wa hitotsu ikura desu ka?
“How much is one of these grapes?”
If the grapes are nearer to the vendor, you might point and ask:
- そのぶどうはいくらですか。
Sono budou wa ikura desu ka?
“How much are those grapes?”
Navigating market transactions is simple with these phrases.
Also read: Numbers and Counting in Japanese
Here’s a sample dialogue in a fruit market:
B: この桃はいくらですか。
Kono momo wa ikura desu ka?
“How much for this peach?”A: 一つ、100円です。
Hitotsu, hyaku en desu.
“One costs 100 yen.”B: じゃあ、桃をください。
Jaa, momo o kudasai.
“Then, please give me the peach.”A: おいくつですか。
Oikutsu desu ka?
“How many would you like?”B: ええと、三つお願いします。
Eeto, mitsu onegai shimasu.
“Three, please.”A: はい、全部で300円になります。
Hai, zenbu de sanbyaku en ni narimasu.
“Alright, that will be 300 yen in total.”
For electronic store scenarios:
A: いらっしゃいませ。
Irrasshaimase.
“Welcome!”B: このラジオはいくらですか。
Kono rajio wa ikura desu ka?
“How much is this radio?”A: このラジオは8000円です。
Kono rajio wa hassen en desu.
“This radio is 8000 yen.”B: これは？
Kore wa?
“And this one?”A: このカメラは12000円です。
Kono kamera wa ichiman nisen en desu.
“This camera is 12000 yen.”B: もっと安くなりませんか。
Motto yasuku narimasen ka?
“Can it be cheaper?”A: すみません、それが最低価格です。
Sumimasen, sore ga saitei kakaku desu.
“Sorry, that’s the lowest price.”B: じゃあ、このカメラをください。
Jaa, kono kamera o kudasai.
“Okay, I’ll take this camera.”A: はい、12000円になります。お買い上げありがとうございます。配送は木曜日になります。
Hai, ichiman nisen en ni narimasu. Okaigai arigatou gozaimasu. Haisou wa mokuyoubi ni narimasu.
“That will be 12000 yen. Thank you for your purchase. It will be delivered by Thursday.”
With these phrases, asking about prices in Japanese is made easy, aiding anyone from casual tourists to serious shoppers in navigating local markets and stores efficiently.
