Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 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 4
Asking the price
Ask and answer prices with and .
Start with the example
。
How much is this bag?
is the core shopping question for price.
Notice the variation
。
This shirt is 500 yen.
The answer uses a price plus .
More detail: how to apply this
Use to ask how much something costs.
In answers, the price usually appears as a number plus .
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Distinguish quantity, unit price, total, and change before calculating.
is 500 yen for both notebooks together. The exchange does not state a separate unit price.
A: 。 B: 、。
A: Two notebooks, please. B: Yes, it is 500 yen altogether.
Distinguish quantity, unit price, total, and change before calculating.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
How much is this bag?
is the core shopping question for price.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- いくらですか
- how much is it?
Compare in context
。
This shirt is 500 yen.
The answer uses a price plus .
Vocabulary notes
- この
- this
- シャツ
- shirt
- 五百円
- 500 yen
Compare in context
。
That book is 100 yen.
Very short price answers are common in shops.
Vocabulary notes
- その
- that
- 百円
- one hundred yen
Section 2 of 4
Choosing quantity with ください
Choosing quantity with
Start with the example
。
Please give me two apples.
Item plus quantity plus makes a natural order.
Notice the variation
。
Please give me three pieces of bread.
The same pattern works with bread and other foods.
More detail: how to apply this
In shops, combine the item, a quantity, and to make a simple order.
This pattern is short, direct, and very common in beginner Japanese.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Please give me two apples.
Item plus quantity plus makes a natural order.
。
Please give me two apples.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: Please give me two apples.
Showing Choosing quantity with ください: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
Please give me two apples.
Item plus quantity plus makes a natural order.
Vocabulary notes
- りんご
- apple
- ください
- please give; please do
Preview
。
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
Preview
。
Please give me one mandarin orange.
A single item can also be ordered with .
Vocabulary notes
- みかん
- mandarin orange
- ください
- please give; please do
Section 3 of 4
Reading totals and change
Distinguish quantity, unit price, total, and change before calculating.
Reading totals and change
A: 。
B: 、。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
The customer requests two notebooks. gives the quantity, not the price.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
When the cashier gives the total, listen for .
When money comes back after payment, tells you the amount of change.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
It is 500 yen altogether.
introduces the total for everything together.
。
It is 500 yen altogether.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: It is 500 yen altogether.
Showing Reading totals and change: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
It is 500 yen altogether.
introduces the total for everything together.
Vocabulary notes
- 全部で
- altogether; in total
- 五百円
- 500 yen
Preview
。
Your change is 100 yen.
means the change returned after payment.
Vocabulary notes
- おつり
- change
- 百円
- one hundred yen
Preview
A: 。 B: 、。
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
- ノート
- notebook
- ください
- please give; please do
- 五百円
- 500 yen
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
when shopping
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and when shopping.
asks how much money;
asks how many things.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
asks how much money; asks how many things.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Asks price / asks quantity
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.