कितने का है?

You can use this phrase on its own while pointing at something. If you want to be specific, put the item name first. For example, Yeh seb kitne ka hai? (How much is this apple?). It is incredibly versatile. You do not need complex grammar to make this work. Just point, ask, and wait for the number. If the price seems high, your facial expression does the rest of the work.

Use it whenever money is about to change hands. It is perfect for the bustling local markets (sabzi mandi). Use it when hailing an auto-rickshaw before you hop in. It works at high-end boutiques too. Even when texting a friend about a cool gadget they bought, you can drop a Kitne ka hai?. It is the bread and butter of daily Hindi conversation.

Do not use this for services or abstract concepts. If you are asking about a total bill at a restaurant, Kitna hua? (How much happened/totaled?) is better. Avoid using it when asking for someone's salary; that is considered quite rude. Also, do not use it for people! That sounds like you are trying to buy them, which is a major social blunder. Stick to inanimate objects and you will be fine.

In India, asking the price is often the start of a beautiful negotiation. Prices in local markets are rarely fixed. When you ask Kitne ka hai?, the shopkeeper expects a follow-up. It is not just a transaction; it is a social dance. The phrase is the opening move. Knowing this phrase shows you are savvy and ready to engage with the local culture. It breaks the 'tourist' barrier instantly.

If you are buying multiple items, use Kitne ke hain? for the plural form. For a more formal touch, you can say Iska daam kya hai? (What is its price?). In casual street slang, people sometimes just say Kitna? while holding the item. If you want to ask 'at what rate', you might hear Kya bhaav hai?. But for a beginner, Kitne ka hai? is the undisputed king of phrases.