Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Asking the price
Use いくらですか to ask how much something costs. In answers, the price usually appears as a number plus 円.
Target signal
このかばんはいくらですか。
How much is this bag?
いくらですか is the core shopping question for price.
Vocabulary notes
- いくらですか
- how much is it?
- かばん
- bag
- いく
- to go
Compare in context
このシャツは五百円です。
This shirt is 500 yen.
The answer uses a price plus 円.
Vocabulary notes
- シャツ
- shirt
- 五百円
- 500 yen
- この
- this
Compare in context
その本は百円です。
That book is 100 yen.
Very short price answers are common in shops.
Vocabulary notes
- その
- that
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- 百円
- one hundred yen
Section 2 of 3
Choosing quantity with ください
In shops, combine the item, a quantity, and ください to make a simple order. This pattern is short, direct, and very common in beginner Japanese.
Target signal
りんごを二つください。
Please give me two apples.
Item plus quantity plus ください makes a natural order.
Vocabulary notes
- ください
- please give; please do
- りんご
- apple
- つく
- to stick to; to be attached
Preview
パンを三つください。
Please give me three pieces of bread.
The same pattern works with bread and other foods.
Vocabulary notes
- ください
- please give; please do
- つく
- to stick to; to be attached
- つく
- to sigh; to let out a sigh
Preview
みかんを一つください。
Please give me one mandarin orange.
A single item can also be ordered with 一つください.
Vocabulary notes
- ください
- please give; please do
- みかん
- mandarin orange
- つく
- to stick to; to be attached
Section 3 of 3
Reading totals and change
When the cashier gives the total, listen for 全部で. When money comes back after payment, おつり tells you the amount of change.
Target signal
全部で五百円です。
It is 500 yen altogether.
全部で introduces the total for everything together.
Vocabulary notes
- 五百円
- 500 yen
- 全部で
- altogether; in total
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
おつりは百円です。
Your change is 100 yen.
おつり means the change returned after payment.
Vocabulary notes
- おつり
- change
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- 百円
- one hundred yen
Preview
A: ノートを二冊ください。 B: はい、全部で五百円です。
A: Two notebooks, please. B: Yes, it is 500 yen altogether.
A short shop exchange often moves from quantity to total very quickly.
Vocabulary notes
- ください
- please give; please do
- ノート
- notebook
- 五百円
- 500 yen