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How do I politely inquire about prices in Japanese shops

Essential Japanese Phrases for Navigating Japan: How do I politely inquire about prices in Japanese shops
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To politely inquire about prices in Japanese shops, a common and polite phrase to use is:

「すみません、これはいくらですか？」

Pronounced “Sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka?”, this means “Excuse me, how much is this?” Using “すみません” (sumimasen) adds politeness by getting the shop clerk’s attention respectfully. You can point to or hold up the item when asking.

Another polite way is to use the phrase:

「おいくらでしょうか？」

Pronounced “Oikura deshou ka?”, this is a very polite and slightly softer way of asking “How much is it?”

These phrases are commonly used in Japanese shops and show courteous respect while asking about prices, fitting social norms on politeness in Japan. 1, 4

Useful variations when asking about prices

Depending on the situation, you may hear or want to use slightly different wording.

  • 「これはいくらですか？」 — “How much is this?”
    • Direct and natural, but a little less polite than adding すみません.
  • 「こちらはいくらですか？」 — “How much is this one?”
    • Very useful when pointing to an item on a shelf or display.
  • 「これはおいくらですか？」 — “How much is this?”
    • Politer than いくらですか and suitable in most shops.
  • 「お値段はいくらですか？」 — “What is the price?”
    • A polite option, especially when you want to sound a bit more formal.

If you are unsure which phrase to use, 「すみません、これはいくらですか？」 is one of the safest choices in everyday shopping.

How to ask politely in a real shop

A simple interaction might go like this:

  1. Get the clerk’s attention politely
    • Say すみません first.
  2. Point to the item
    • This helps avoid confusion, especially if the item is small or the shop is busy.
  3. Ask the price
    • Use これはいくらですか？ or おいくらでしょうか？
  4. Listen for the answer
    • The clerk may respond with a number followed by です or 円.

For example:

  • すみません、これはいくらですか？
  • 500円です。
    • “It’s 500 yen.”

Understanding the answer

When someone gives you the price in Japanese, you may hear:

  • 500円です — 500 yen
  • 千円です — 1,000 yen
  • 二千五百円です — 2,500 yen

Useful number vocabulary can make shopping much easier:

  • 円 (en) = yen
  • 千 (sen) = thousand
  • 万 (man) = ten thousand

If the price sounds fast, it is perfectly fine to ask again:

  • すみません、もう一度お願いします。
    • “Excuse me, once more please.”

Common politeness tips

Japanese shopping language is usually polite, calm, and indirect. A few small habits can help you sound more natural:

  • Use すみません to start the question.
  • Avoid sounding too abrupt with only いくら？
  • Speak gently and clearly.
  • Pointing is acceptable in shops, especially with items on a shelf.
  • If you are asking about several items, use こちら rather than repeating これ every time.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using only “いくら？”
    • This can sound too casual or abrupt in a shop.
  • Forgetting to add attention-getting language
    • Starting with すみません makes the interaction smoother.
  • Asking too many questions at once
    • Keep the first question simple: just ask for the price.
  • Mixing up “price” and “how many”
    • いくら asks about price, while いくつ asks about quantity or number.

If you want to go a little further, these phrases can also be useful:

  • これをください。
    • “I’ll take this.”
  • 安いですか？
    • “Is it cheap?”
  • 高いですか？
    • “Is it expensive?”
  • 少し安くなりますか？
    • “Can you make it a little cheaper?”
    • This is more relevant in some markets than in fixed-price stores.

Quick summary

If you want one easy phrase to remember, use:

  • すみません、これはいくらですか？

If you want to sound a little more polite, use:

  • おいくらでしょうか？

These expressions are natural, respectful, and widely understood in Japanese shops. 1, 4

References