Lesson Transcript

Let's practice.
Imagine you're Ben, and you're at a farmers' market, where many items have no price tag.
You'd like to try a snack close to the listener. Ask the price using the word for "that."
Ready?
それは いくらですか。(Sore wa ikura desu ka.)
ごひゃくえんです。(Go-hyaku en desu.)
Listen again and repeat.
それは いくらですか。(Sore wa ikura desu ka.)
それは いくらですか。(Sore wa ikura desu ka.)
Let's try one more.
They are also selling artisan coffee. Ask for the price of a coffee.
Ready?
コーヒーは いくらですか。(Kōhī wa ikura desu ka.)
せんえんです。(Sen-en desu.)
Listen again and repeat.
コーヒーは いくらですか。(Kōhī wa ikura desu ka.)
コーヒーは いくらですか。(Kōhī wa ikura desu ka.)
Let's try one more.
They're also selling watermelons.
Ready?
スイカは いくらですか。(Suika wa ikura desu ka.)
はっぴゃくえんです。(Happyaku en desu.)
Listen again and repeat.
スイカは いくらですか。(Suika wa ikura desu ka.)
スイカは いくらですか。(Suika wa ikura desu ka.)
In most cases, Japanese doesn't make a distinction between singular and plural nouns. You'll use the same pattern when you're looking for a coffee, a watermelon, or two or more watermelons.
For example, スイカは いくらですか。(Suika wa ikura desu ka.) can translate as "How much are the watermelons?" Or "How much is a watermelon?" depending on the number of watermelons.
The English translation may alternate between singular and plural, but the Japanese pattern remains the same.
This is the end of this lesson.
Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.
What's next?
Show us what you can do.
When you're ready, take your assessment.
You can take it again and again, so try anytime you like.
Our teachers will assess it, and give you your results.
Now you know how to ask the price of something in Japanese. That's all there is to it.
Keep practicing — and move on to the next lesson!

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