Buying something at a street kiosk in Japanese
すみません、これはいくらですか。
sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka.
“Excuse me, how much is this?”
When: Flagging down a vendor and asking a price
The moment
You stop at a busy street food kiosk near Tokyo Station. Greet the vendor, ask the price of two different snacks, buy one of them, thank the vendor, and say goodbye.
A1 · Unit 1 · First words · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Open, then ask the price
Lead with 「すみません」 so the vendor looks up, then point and ask 「これはいくらですか。」 The same combo works at any stall or counter.
すみません、これはいくらですか。
sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka.
“Excuse me, how much is this?”
When to use it: Flagging down a vendor and asking a price
What you’ll hear back: 350円です。 sanbyaku gojū en desu. (That's 350 yen.)
Buying one of them
「これをひとつください。」 means one of these, please. Say it while pointing, and swap 「ひとつ」 for 「ふたつ」 when you want two.
これをひとつください。
kore o hitotsu kudasai.
“One of these, please.”
When to use it: Placing your order at the kiosk
What you’ll hear back: かしこまりました。 kashikomarimashita. (Certainly.)
Words for this scene
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| こんにちは | konnichiwa | Hello |
こんにちは。今日は暑いですね。 Hello. It's hot today, isn't it? Tip: Use it from late morning to sunset; mornings get ohayō. | ||
| ありがとうございます | arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you |
どうもありがとうございます。 Thank you very much. Tip: Once you have paid, staff answer with arigatō gozaimashita. | ||
| 失礼します | shitsurei shimasu | Goodbye (as you leave) |
では、失礼します。 Well then, goodbye. Tip: Polite exit line for shops, offices, and ending phone calls. | ||
Your objective
Greet the vendor, ask what two things cost, buy one of them, then say thank you and goodbye.
- a greeting
- two prices
- thanks and a goodbye
Lines that get it done
- こんにちは · konnichiwa · Hello
- すみません、これはいくらですか。
- ありがとうございます · arigatō gozaimasu · Thank you
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. The vendor is busy wiping the counter. What do you say first to get their attention?
- すみません。
- どういたしまして。
- 元気です。
- おやすみなさい。
Show the answer
すみません。
「すみません」 is how you flag down staff before asking anything.
2. The vendor tells you 「にせんえんです。」 How much is the item?
- 2,000円
- 200円
- 20,000円
- 2,500円
Show the answer
2,000円
「にせん」 is two thousand, so the price is 2,000円.
3. You have paid and you're stepping away from the kiosk. Which pair sounds natural?
- ありがとうございます。失礼します。
- おはようございます。お願いします。
- すみません。いくらですか。
- どういたしまして。こんばんは。
Show the answer
ありがとうございます。失礼します。
You thank the vendor first, then use 「失礼します」 as the polite goodbye on your way out.