24 Japanese Phrases to Ask “How Much?

Wondering how to ask “How much?” in Japanese? You’re in the right place!

Whether you’re shopping in Tokyo or chatting with friends, knowing different ways to ask about prices is super handy. It helps you sound natural and polite, depending on the situation.

Japanese has a variety of phrases for this question, from casual to formal and even very casual expressions that locals use. Each one fits a different vibe.

In this article, we’ll take you through 24 useful Japanese phrases to ask “How much?” with easy pronunciation guides and explanations. You’ll feel more confident navigating prices in Japan or just impressing your friends with your Japanese skills.

Learning these phrases can also give you a peek into Japanese culture and polite communication styles, which is always a plus when traveling or making new friends.

Ready? Let’s dive into the colorful world of Japanese price questions!

Getting Started: Why So Many Ways to Say “How Much?”

Japanese is full of nuance, especially when it comes to politeness. That’s why there are multiple ways to ask about prices.

Some phrases are simple and casual, great for friends or casual markets. Others are polite and perfect for stores or formal settings. Knowing when to use which is key to fitting in smoothly.

And sometimes, slang or very casual phrases come in handy with close friends or locals. It’s like having a phrase for every occasion, making your conversations more natural.

Starting with a great beginner phrasebook can help you organize these phrases in your mind and practice them well.

Once you get the hang of these questions, negotiating prices or just chatting with shopkeepers will be a breeze.

Let’s jump into the first section and start with casual, easy-to-remember phrases!

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. いくら？ (Ikura?) — “How much?”

This is the simplest and most common way to ask “How much?” in casual situations.

It’s just one word: いくら (ikura) pronounced like “ee-koo-rah.” Easy to remember and very effective when talking with friends or in informal settings.

Because it’s short and direct, it’s great for quick price checks.

Keep in mind, it’s best not to use this in very formal places, as it can sound too blunt.

You can add ですか (desu ka) to make it a question politely, but in casual chats, just いくら？ works perfectly.

Try it out next time you see something you want to buy casually—you’ll sound natural and quick on your feet!

2. おいくらですか？ (Oikura desu ka?) — Polite “How much?”

This phrase adds politeness with お (o) and ですか (desu ka), making it perfect for stores or when you want to be respectful.

It’s pronounced “oh-ee-koo-rah dess kah,” and the お (o) prefix shows respect. This is a great way to ask prices when you’re unsure about the formality required.

Using this shows you’re polite without sounding stiff.

A common mistake is forgetting the お, which can make it sound less polite.

Example: “すみません、おいくらですか？” (Sumimasen, oikura desu ka?) means “Excuse me, how much is this?”

It’s a safe go-to phrase for most shopping experiences in Japan.

3. これはいくら？ (Kore wa ikura?) — “How much is this?”

Here you’re specifying “this” (これ, kore) to ask about a particular item’s price.

Pronounced “koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah,” it’s casual but clear, making it perfect for markets or casual shops.

This phrase helps avoid confusion when there are many items around.

It’s a little more polite than just いくら？ but still casual.

Try it with “それは” (sore wa) for “that” or “あれは” (are wa) for “that over there” to expand your questions.

Using this phrase shows you’re paying attention and interested in specifics.

4. いくらですか？ (Ikura desu ka?) — Polite “How much is it?”

This is the polite form of いくら？ by adding ですか (desu ka), making it suitable for most stores and formal conversations.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah dess kah,” it’s a respectful way to ask without being too formal.

It balances simplicity with politeness well.

Be careful not to drop the ですか in formal settings, as it might sound abrupt.

It’s perfect for daily shopping or when you want to stay polite but relaxed.

Combine it with これ (kore) or それ (sore) to specify items politely too.

5. 値段はいくら？ (Nedan wa ikura?) — “What’s the price?”

値段 (ねだん, nedan) means “price,” so this literally asks “Price, how much?”

Pronounced “neh-dahn wah ee-koo-rah,” it’s a straightforward way to ask about cost in a casual to semi-polite tone.

This phrase works well in markets or casual stores.

A common mistake is mixing it up with 値 (ね, ne), which is less common alone.

Adding ですか (desu ka) makes it more polite: 値段はいくらですか？

This phrase is great when you want to be a bit more specific than just “いくら？”

6. いくらかかりますか？ (Ikura kakarimasu ka?) — “How much will it cost?”

This phrase uses かかります (kakarimasu), meaning “to cost or take (time/money).”

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah kah-kah-ree-mas kah,” it’s perfect when asking about total cost or fees.

It’s polite and useful for services, transportation, or bills.

Don’t confuse かかります with かかる (kakaru) meaning “to take (time),” context is key.

Example: “この修理はいくらかかりますか？” (Kono shuuri wa ikura kakarimasu ka?) means “How much will this repair cost?”

This phrase shows you’re considering the full expense, not just item price.

7. いくらです？ (Ikura desu?) — Slightly casual polite

This phrase drops the か (ka) question particle, making it a little more casual but still polite.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah dess,” it’s often used in relaxed but respectful conversations.

It’s less formal than いくらですか but still polite enough for friendly shopkeepers.

Be cautious using it in very formal situations, as some might find it too casual.

A good bridge phrase between casual and polite.

Try it in small shops or with vendors you know well.

8. いくらになる？ (Ikura ni naru?) — “How much does it become?”

This phrase uses なる (naru, “to become”) to ask the final price after calculation.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah nee nah-roo,” it’s casual and often used when asking about totals after discounts or combined items.

It’s useful in markets or when negotiating.

Don’t confuse with いくらですか, which asks the price outright.

Example: “全部でいくらになる？” (Zenbu de ikura ni naru?) means “How much will it be in total?”

This phrase feels natural and conversational, great for everyday shopping.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. お値段はいかほどですか？ (Onedan wa ika hodo desu ka?) — Very polite “How much is the price?”

This is a very polite and formal way to ask about price, using お (o) prefix and いかほど (ika hodo, “approximately how much”).

Pronounced “oh-neh-dahn wah ee-kah hoh-doh dess kah,” it’s perfect for upscale stores or formal negotiations.

This phrase sounds respectful and refined, ideal for business or formal conversations.

Avoid using it casually; it may seem overly formal or stiff.

Example: “こちらのお品物のお値段はいかほどでございますか？” (Kochira no oshinamono no onedan wa ika hodo de gozaimasu ka?)

It shows you respect the seller and the item’s value, great for fancy shops.

10. いくらでございますか？ (Ikura de gozaimasu ka?) — Polite and humble “How much is it?”

Using でございます (de gozaimasu) instead of です adds humility and formality.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah deh goh-zah-ee-mas kah,” it’s often used in formal customer service settings.

It’s respectful and appropriate for high-end stores or service counters.

Avoid dropping the か question particle here; it completes the polite question.

Example: “こちらの商品はいくらでございますか？” (Kochira no shouhin wa ikura de gozaimasu ka?)

This phrase demonstrates politeness and good manners, helping you fit in formally.

11. おいくらほどでしょうか？ (Oikura hodo deshou ka?) — Polite and soft inquiry

This is a polite and somewhat softer way to ask, adding でしょうか (deshou ka), which softens the question.

Pronounced “oh-ee-koo-rah hoh-doh desh-oh kah,” it’s a thoughtful way to inquire about price.

It’s perfect when you want to show respect and avoid sounding too direct.

Don’t overuse this in casual chats; it can sound too formal.

Example: “こちらの品物はおいくらほどでしょうか？”

It’s great for situations where you want to sound polite but gentle.

12. お値段を教えていただけますか？ (Onedan o oshiete itadakemasu ka?) — “Could you tell me the price?”

This phrase literally means “Could you kindly tell me the price?” making it very polite and formal.

Pronounced “oh-neh-dahn oh oh-shee-eh-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-mas kah,” it’s great for careful or formal inquiries.

It’s a bit longer but shows excellent manners and appreciation.

Avoid using this casually; it suits formal or business-like settings.

Example: “すみません、お値段を教えていただけますか？”

It’s a perfect phrase when you want to be courteous and respectful.

13. おいくらになりますか？ (Oikura ni narimasu ka?) — Polite “How much will it be?”

This polite phrase asks the final cost or total price.

Pronounced “oh-ee-koo-rah nee nah-ree-mas kah,” it’s often used when confirming a price before purchase.

It’s respectful and suitable in stores or restaurants.

Don’t drop the polite endings in formal contexts.

Example: “全部でおいくらになりますか？” (Zenbu de oikura ni narimasu ka?)

It’s a useful phrase to confirm the final amount politely.

14. お見積もりはいかがでしょうか？ (O-mitsumori wa ikaga deshou ka?) — “How about a price estimate?”

見積もり (みつもり, mitsumori) means “estimate” or “quote.”

Pronounced “oh-mee-tsu-mo-ree wah ee-kah-gah desh-oh kah,” this phrase is great for asking about price quotes in business or service settings.

It’s very polite and formal, ideal for negotiations or contracts.

Avoid using it casually; it’s more suited to professional contexts.

Example: “このサービスのお見積もりはいかがでしょうか？”

Perfect for when you want to request a formal price estimate politely.

15. ご料金はいかほどでございますか？ (Goryoukin wa ika hodo de gozaimasu ka?) — Formal “How much is the fee?”

料金 (りょうきん, ryoukin) means “fee” or “charge,” often used for services.

Pronounced “go-ryoh-kin wah ee-kah hoh-doh deh goh-zah-ee-mas kah,” this phrase is very formal and respectful.

It’s best for hotels, clinics, or professional services.

Make sure to use the honorific ご (go) prefix for politeness.

Example: “ご料金はいかほどでございますか？”

This phrase shows respect and seriousness in your inquiry.

16. お値打ちはどのくらいですか？ (O-neuchi wa dono kurai desu ka?) — “What’s the value or discount?”

値打ち (ねうち, neuchi) means “value” or “worth,” often used when asking about discounts or deals.

Pronounced “oh-neh-oo-chee wah doh-noh koo-rye dess kah,” it’s polite and useful in bargaining or sales.

It’s a bit more specific than just “price.”

Don’t confuse it with 値段 (nedan), which is general price.

Example: “この商品の値打ちはどのくらいですか？”

Great for asking about value or discounts politely.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. いくらだっけ？ (Ikura dakke?) — “How much was it again?”

This is a casual, conversational phrase used when you’re trying to recall a price.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah dahk-keh,” it’s often used among friends or family.

The だっけ (dakke) ending adds a “was it?” nuance.

Don’t use this with strangers or in formal settings.

Example: “このお菓子、いくらだっけ？” means “How much was this snack again?”

It’s a natural way to sound like a local in casual chats.

18. いくらすんの？ (Ikura sun no?) — Slang for “How much is it?”

すんの is slang derived from する (suru, “to do”), making this a very casual or slangy way to ask price.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah soon no,” it’s popular among younger people.

Use it only with close friends, never in formal situations.

Avoid mixing with polite speech, as it sounds too casual.

Example: “これ、いくらすんの？”

If you want to blend in with youth slang, this is your go-to phrase.

19. いくらよ？ (Ikura yo?) — Casual “How much?” with emphasis

The particle よ (yo) adds emphasis or assertion, making this phrase lively and casual.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah yoh,” it’s great for friends or informal chats.

It’s a bit more assertive than just いくら？

Don’t use it in formal or polite conversations.

Example: “それ、いくらよ？” means “How much is that?” with a friendly tone.

This phrase keeps your chats fun and expressive.

20. なんぼ？ (Nanbo?) — Kansai dialect casual “How much?”

なんぼ (nanbo) is Kansai dialect for “how much?” used in casual conversation.

Pronounced “nahn-boh,” it’s common in Osaka and surrounding areas.

If you’re visiting Kansai, this phrase will help you sound local.

Avoid using it in Tokyo or formal places.

Example: “これ、なんぼや？” means “How much is this?” in Kansai slang.

It’s a fun regional phrase to add to your vocabulary.

21. いくらだった？ (Ikura datta?) — “How much was it?” (past tense)

This phrase asks about price in the past tense.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah daht-tah,” it’s useful when checking how much something cost earlier.

It’s casual and often used with friends or family.

Don’t use in formal settings.

Example: “あのケーキ、いくらだった？” means “How much was that cake?”

Great for recalling past expenses in casual talks.

22. いくらまで？ (Ikura made?) — “How much up to?” (asking limit)

まで (made) means “up to,” so this phrase asks about a price limit or maximum.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah mah-deh,” it’s handy when negotiating or setting budgets.

It’s casual but clear.

Example: “この予算でいくらまで買える？” means “How much can I buy up to with this budget?”

Use it in markets or bargaining situations.

Shows you’re smart about your spending.

23. いくらぐらい？ (Ikura gurai?) — “About how much?”

ぐらい (gurai) means “about” or “approximately,” making this phrase great for estimates.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah goo-rai,” it’s casual and friendly.

Perfect when you want a rough idea, not an exact price.

Example: “これ、いくらぐらいするの？” means “About how much is this?”

It’s soft and useful for casual conversations.

24. いくら欲しい？ (Ikura hoshii?) — “How much do you want?” (price expectation)

欲しい (ほしい, hoshii) means “want,” so this phrase asks someone their price expectation.

Pronounced “ee-koo-rah hoh-shee,” it’s casual and used in bargaining or when selling.

Be careful, as it can sound informal or pushy in some contexts.

Example: “その時計、いくら欲しい？” means “How much do you want for that watch?”

Great for friendly negotiations.

Use it with familiar people or in markets.

Concluding Thought

Asking “How much?” in Japanese can be as simple or as nuanced as the situation calls for. From quick casual phrases to polite formal questions, you now have a rich toolkit to navigate prices confidently.

Remember, using the right level of politeness not only helps you communicate better but also shows respect for Japanese culture.

So next time you’re shopping or chatting in Japan, try out these phrases and watch your confidence and connections grow!