कितना लोगे?
kitna loge?
How much will you take?
Literally: How much (कितना) will take (लोगे)?
In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to ask for a price or fee.
- Essential for bargaining with rickshaws and street vendors.
- Direct and informal; use 'lenge' for more respect.
Meaning
This is the go-to question when you want to know the price or fee for something. It literally asks how much money someone expects to receive for a service or item.
Key Examples
3 of 6Hiring an auto-rickshaw
Bhaiya, Chandni Chowk ke liye kitna loge?
Brother, how much will you take for Chandni Chowk?
Asking a tailor for a repair
Is kameez ko theek karne ka kitna loge?
How much will you take to fix this shirt?
In a professional meeting (formal)
Aap is project ke liye kitna lenge?
How much will you take (charge) for this project?
Cultural Background
In cities like Delhi, bargaining is a sport. If you ask 'Kitna loge?' and the driver says '200', you should usually counter with '100' or '120'. In modern offices in Bangalore or Mumbai, people prefer English or very formal Hindi. 'Kitna loge' might sound too 'street' for a software contract. Hospitality is huge. Sometimes if you ask 'Kitna loge?' for a small favor, they might say 'Kuch nahi' (Nothing). It's polite to insist once or twice. In Mumbai, auto-rickshaws almost always go by the 'meter'. Asking 'Kitna loge?' is often unnecessary and might mark you as a tourist.
The 'Sahi-Sahi' Trick
Add 'sahi-sahi' (correctly/fairly) before 'kitna loge' to show you are a seasoned local who knows the real prices.
Avoid with Friends
Don't ask a close friend 'Kitna loge?' if they do you a favor. It can sound too transactional and cold. Offer a treat instead.
In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to ask for a price or fee.
- Essential for bargaining with rickshaws and street vendors.
- Direct and informal; use 'lenge' for more respect.
What It Means
Kitna loge is the heartbeat of Indian street commerce. It is a direct way to ask for a price quote. You are essentially asking, "What is your charge?" It is simple, effective, and cuts straight to the point.
How To Use It
Use this phrase when the price isn't written down. It works perfectly with rickshaw drivers, tailors, or street vendors. You just state your destination or the item. Then follow up with Bhaiya, kitna loge? (Brother, how much will you take?). It is a functional, everyday expression.
When To Use It
Use it when you are in a market. Use it when hiring a local guide. It is great for informal service negotiations. If a friend offers to help with a task, you can ask this playfully. It signals that you are ready to talk business.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in high-end luxury boutiques. Do not use it in corporate salary negotiations. In those settings, it sounds a bit too blunt. Also, avoid using it with elders unless you use the formal version kitna lenge. Using loge with a boss might seem disrespectful.
Cultural Background
In India, fixed prices are often just a suggestion. Bargaining is a social dance. This phrase is the opening move of that dance. It invites the seller to give their first offer. It reflects a culture where value is negotiated, not just dictated. It shows you are savvy and not a naive tourist.
Common Variations
If you want to be more polite, say Kitna lenge?. This uses the respectful plural form. If you are asking about a fixed price of an object, you might say Kitna hua? (How much did it become?). For a very casual vibe with friends, just say Kitna? while pointing. Each variation changes the temperature of the conversation.
Usage Notes
The ending '-ge' makes it future tense. You are asking what they *will* take once the job is done. Stick to 'lenge' for anyone older than you to avoid sounding arrogant.
The 'Sahi-Sahi' Trick
Add 'sahi-sahi' (correctly/fairly) before 'kitna loge' to show you are a seasoned local who knows the real prices.
Avoid with Friends
Don't ask a close friend 'Kitna loge?' if they do you a favor. It can sound too transactional and cold. Offer a treat instead.
Respect the 'Aap'
If the service provider is much older than you, always use 'Kitna lenge?' to maintain social harmony.
Examples
6Bhaiya, Chandni Chowk ke liye kitna loge?
Brother, how much will you take for Chandni Chowk?
A classic way to start a ride in India.
Is kameez ko theek karne ka kitna loge?
How much will you take to fix this shirt?
Directly asking for a service fee.
Aap is project ke liye kitna lenge?
How much will you take (charge) for this project?
Uses the respectful 'lenge' for a professional setting.
Coffee ke kitne paise loge? Haha.
How much money will you take for the coffee? Haha.
A playful way to ask what you owe a friend.
Ek ghante ka kitna loge?
How much will you take for one hour?
Commonly used for hourly labor or tutoring.
Tum chup rehne ka kitna loge?
How much will you take to stay quiet?
Used dramatically when someone is annoying you or threatening to tell a secret.
Test Yourself
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
You: भैया, लाल किला चलना है। ______? Driver: दो सौ रुपये लगेंगे।
'Kitna loge' is the standard way to ask a driver for their fare.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a formal business consultant?
आप अपनी सलाह के लिए ______?
'Lenge' is the formal 'Aap' form required for professionals.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a vegetable stall and want to buy 2kg of onions.
For items sold by weight, 'Kya bhaav hai' (What is the rate) is more common than 'Kitna loge'.
Fill in the blank to ask for the total money.
तुम इस काम के कितने ______ लोगे?
'Kitne paise loge' is the most natural way to specify money.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use 'Kitna loge?'
Transport
- • Auto
- • Rickshaw
- • Taxi
Services
- • Plumber
- • Tailor
- • Cleaner
Markets
- • Street Food
- • Souvenirs
- • Clothes
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYou: भैया, लाल किला चलना है। ______? Driver: दो सौ रुपये लगेंगे।
'Kitna loge' is the standard way to ask a driver for their fare.
आप अपनी सलाह के लिए ______?
'Lenge' is the formal 'Aap' form required for professionals.
Situation: You are at a vegetable stall and want to buy 2kg of onions.
For items sold by weight, 'Kya bhaav hai' (What is the rate) is more common than 'Kitna loge'.
तुम इस काम के कितने ______ लोगे?
'Kitne paise loge' is the most natural way to specify money.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's standard for markets and transport. However, use 'lenge' for elders to be safe.
No, it's too informal. Use 'Salary kitni hogi?' or 'Vetan kya hai?'.
'Kitna' is singular (How much), 'Kitne' is plural (How many). Use 'Kitne paise' but 'Kitna loge'.
Both are used. 'Kitna loge' implies 'How much (amount)', 'Kitne loge' implies 'How many (rupees)'.
Say 'Bahut mahanga hai!' (Very expensive!) or 'Kam karo' (Reduce it).
No, use the menu. If the menu has no prices, ask 'Iska daam kya hai?'.
Yes, for 'Tu' it's 'lega' (m) or 'legi' (f). For 'Tum', 'loge' is used for both.
They are asking for your offer. Give a price about 40% lower than what you expect to pay.
In major cities, yes, but local languages (Tamil, Telugu) are preferred. Most drivers understand basic Hindi.
No, for large assets, use 'Iska price kya hai?' or 'Iska daam kya hai?'.
Related Phrases
कितना हुआ?
similarHow much did it become?
कितने का है?
similarHow much is it for?
दाम क्या है?
synonymWhat is the price?
सही दाम लगाओ
builds onGive a fair price.
