Explanation at your level:
Hello! いくら (ikura) is a super easy word to learn. It means 'how much?' when you want to ask about the price of something. Imagine you see a cute toy in a shop. You can point to it and ask, 「これ、いくら？」 (Kore, ikura?). This means 'This, how much?'. It's very simple and direct. You can also use it to ask about quantity, like 'how many?' in some situations. For example, if you are at a friend's house and they offer you cookies, you might ask, 「クッキー、いくら？」 (Kukkii, ikura?), meaning 'Cookies, how many?'. It's a friendly way to get information!
いくら (ikura) is an essential Japanese adverb used to inquire about cost or quantity. At the A2 level, you'll use it in common situations like shopping. When you want to know the price of an item, you can say 「これはいくらですか？」 (Kore wa ikura desu ka?), which translates to 'How much is this?'. The ですか (desu ka) makes the question polite. You can also use it to ask about the quantity of something, for example, 「りんごはいくらですか？」 (Ringo wa ikura desu ka?) - 'How many apples are there?' or 'How much do apples cost?'. It's a versatile word that helps you gather important details when interacting with people in Japan.
As you move to the B1 level, いくら (ikura) remains a core vocabulary item, but you'll start using it in slightly more complex ways and understanding its nuances. Beyond just asking 'how much?', you can use it to inquire about abstract quantities or degrees. For example, when discussing effort, you might ask someone, 「いくら頑張りましたか？」 (Ikura ganbarimashita ka?), meaning 'How much did you try?' or 'To what extent did you work hard?'. You'll also encounter it in answers, often with ～ぐらい (gurai) or ～くらい (kurai) to indicate an approximation, such as 「1000円くらいです。」 (Sen-en kurai desu.) - 'It's about 1000 yen.' Understanding these variations will help you navigate more varied conversations.
At the B2 level, your understanding of いくら (ikura) deepens, allowing you to grasp its use in more idiomatic expressions and varied contexts. You'll encounter phrases like 「いくらでもいいです。」 (Ikura demo ii desu.), meaning 'Any amount is fine' or 'Whatever the price/quantity, it's okay.' This shows flexibility and indifference to cost or number. Another important structure is 「いくら～ても」 (ikura ~temo), meaning 'no matter how much...'. For instance, 「いくら説明しても、彼は理解しない。」 (Ikura setsumei shite mo, kare wa rikai shinai.) - 'No matter how much I explain, he doesn't understand.' This highlights the adverb's role in expressing concession or a lack of limitation.
For C1 learners, いくら (ikura) can appear in more sophisticated or literary contexts. While its core meaning of 'how much/many' remains, its usage might be more nuanced. You might see it used rhetorically or to emphasize a point in a more complex argument. For example, in a discussion about value, someone might say, 「いくら払っても惜しくない。」 (Ikura haratte mo oshikunai.) - 'I wouldn't regret paying any amount.' This implies extreme value or desire. Furthermore, understanding the subtle differences between いくら and similar quantifiers in specific contexts, like distinguishing between asking for a price versus asking for a count of items, becomes crucial. Its use in proverbs or set phrases further enriches its application.
At the C2 level, you'll appreciate the full spectrum of いくら (ikura), including its historical roots and subtle semantic shifts. You might encounter archaic forms or highly specific literary uses. For instance, understanding its connection to the concept of 'uncertainty' or 'indefiniteness' in older Japanese texts can provide deeper insight. You'll also be adept at distinguishing it from homophones like イクラ (ikura) (salmon roe) in all contexts, even written ones. Mastery involves recognizing its function not just as a question word, but as a building block in expressions that convey concepts like 'limitlessness', 'futility', or 'great value', often through subtle grammatical constructions and cultural undertones.
Word in 30 Seconds
- いくら (ikura) means 'how much?' or 'how many?'.
- Used primarily for asking prices and quantities.
- Polite form is 'いくらですか？ (ikura desu ka?)'.
- Appears in useful expressions like 'いくらでも' (any amount) and 'いくら～ても' (no matter how much).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese word いくら (ikura). You'll hear this all the time when you're shopping, traveling, or just curious about quantities. Essentially, いくら is your go-to word for asking 'how much?' or 'how many?' It's incredibly versatile and can be used for both prices and amounts.
Think of it as the key to unlocking information about cost and quantity. Whether you're looking at a delicious treat in a bakery or trying to figure out how many people are coming to a party, いくら is the word that helps you get those answers. It’s a fundamental part of everyday Japanese conversation, making it a must-know for anyone learning the language. Mastering いくら will definitely boost your confidence in asking questions!
The word いくら (ikura) has a fascinating history that traces back to older forms of Japanese. Its origins are a bit debated, but one prominent theory suggests it evolved from the word 幾許 (ikura), which meant 'how much' or 'to what extent'. This older form itself is a compound, likely combining 幾 (iku) meaning 'how many' or 'several' and 許 (kura), which acted as a suffix indicating an indefinite quantity or degree.
Over time, the kanji usage shifted, and いくら became more commonly written in hiragana. This shift often happens with words that become very common in spoken language, where the phonetic representation takes precedence. Interestingly, いくら can also refer to salmon roe in Japanese, written as イクラ in katakana. This is a completely different word that just happens to sound the same, a common linguistic phenomenon called a homophone! The 'how much' いくら is almost always written in hiragana or sometimes kanji like 幾ら when emphasis is needed.
いくら (ikura) is primarily used as an interrogative adverb, meaning it asks a question about quantity or price. You'll most frequently hear it followed by a noun that specifies what you're asking about, or used on its own when the context is clear. For example, you can ask 「これはいくらですか？」 (Kore wa ikura desu ka?), meaning 'How much is this?'. Here, いくら directly asks about the price.
You can also use it to inquire about amounts. If you want to know how many people are attending an event, you might ask 「何人いきますか？」 (Nan-nin ikimasu ka?), but if you're asking about a less specific number or a general quantity, いくら can sometimes be implied or used with different phrasing. A common collocation is with ～ぐらい (gurai) or ～くらい (kurai), meaning 'about' or 'approximately', often used in answers: 「500円ぐらいです。」 (Gohyaku-en gurai desu.) - 'It's about 500 yen.' Remember, いくら is polite and widely applicable in most situations, from casual chats to more formal inquiries.
While いくら (ikura) itself is a straightforward question word, it appears in various expressions that add nuance. One common phrase is 「いくらでも」 (ikura demo), which means 'any amount' or 'as much as you want'. It implies abundance or unlimited availability.
Another related expression is 「いくら～ても」 (ikura ~temo), often translated as 'no matter how much...' or 'however much...'. This structure is used to emphasize that a certain action or state will happen regardless of the quantity or degree of something else. For instance, 「いくら食べても太らない。」 (Ikura tabe temo futoranai.) means 'No matter how much I eat, I don't gain weight.' These expressions show how いくら can be woven into more complex sentence structures to convey a wider range of meanings beyond a simple question.
いくら (ikura) is an adverb, and its pronunciation is quite consistent. In standard Japanese, it's pronounced as /i.ku.ɾa/. The 'i' sound is like the 'ee' in 'see', the 'ku' is like the 'coo' in 'cool' but shorter, and the 'ra' is a tapped 'r' sound, similar to the 'dd' in the American English word 'ladder' or the Spanish 'r' in 'pero'. There are no plural forms for いくら as it’s an interrogative adverb.
It doesn't typically take articles. When asking about price, it's often paired with ～か (ka) at the end of a sentence for politeness: いくらですか？ (ikura desu ka?). In terms of common patterns, it's frequently used with demonstratives like これ (kore) 'this', それ (sore) 'that', and あれ (are) 'that over there'. For example, 「これはいくらですか？」 (Kore wa ikura desu ka?). Rhyming words are less common for adverbs like いくら, but words ending in '-ra' like さら (sara) 'plate' or きらら (kirara) exist, though they don't share a close phonetic relationship in terms of stress or rhythm.
Fun Fact
The word 'ikura' for salmon roe is written in katakana (イクラ) to distinguish it from the adverb 'ikura', even though they sound identical!
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'ICK-ruh', with a clear 'i' sound, a short 'kuh' sound, and a tapped 'r' sound similar to the 'dd' in 'ladder'.
Identical to UK pronunciation: 'ICK-ruh', with the tapped 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'r' as a hard English 'r'.
- Making the vowel sounds too long.
- Adding an unnecessary 'u' sound after 'k'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy/hard to read
easy/hard to write
easy/hard to speak
easy/hard to listen
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Topic Marker 'は' (wa)
この本<strong>は</strong>いくらですか？ (This book, how much is it?)
Question Particle 'か' (ka)
いくらです<strong>か</strong>？ (How much is it?)
Concessive Clauses with ～ても (~temo)
いくら勉強し<strong>ても</strong>、難しい。(No matter how much I study, it's difficult.)
Using Particles with Prices
いくら<strong>で</strong>買えますか？ (For how much can I buy it?)
Examples by Level
これ、いくら？
this, how much?
Demonstrative + ikura
みかん、いくら？
mandarin orange, how many?
Noun + ikura
水、いくら？
water, how much?
Noun + ikura
これ、いくらですか？
this, how much is it?
Polite question ending: desu ka
ペン、いくら？
pen, how much?
Noun + ikura
この本、いくら？
this book, how much?
Kono + noun + ikura
お菓子、いくら？
sweets, how much?
Noun + ikura
切符、いくらですか？
ticket, how much is it?
Noun + ikura desu ka
このカバンはいくらですか？
this bag is how much?
Kono + noun + wa + ikura desu ka
コーヒーはいくらですか？
coffee is how much?
Noun + wa + ikura desu ka
タクシーはいくらぐらいかかりますか？
taxi is how much approximately will it cost?
Noun + wa + ikura gurai kakarimasu ka
入場料はいくらですか？
admission fee is how much?
Noun + wa + ikura desu ka
このケーキはいくらですか？
this cake is how much?
Kono + noun + wa + ikura desu ka
切手はいくらですか？
stamp is how much?
Noun + wa + ikura desu ka
このシャツはいくらですか？
this shirt is how much?
Kono + noun + wa + ikura desu ka
電車賃はいくらですか？
train fare is how much?
Noun + wa + ikura desu ka
このサービスはいくらぐらいかかりますか？
this service is how much approximately will it cost?
Noun + wa + ikura gurai kakarimasu ka
いくら払ってもいいですか？
how much pay even if fine?
Ikura + verb-te + mo ii desu ka
この修理にはいくらぐらいかかりますか？
this repair for how much approximately will it cost?
Noun + ni wa + ikura gurai kakarimasu ka
いくらでもどうぞ。
any amount please take.
Ikura demo + verb (imperative)
この旅行はいくらぐらいかかりそうですか？
this trip is how much approximately seems to cost?
Noun + wa + ikura gurai kakarimasou desu ka
いくら勉強しても、成績が上がりません。
how much study even if grades do not rise.
Ikura + verb-te + mo + negative verb
このプロジェクトの予算はいくらですか？
this project's budget is how much?
Noun + no + noun + wa + ikura desu ka
いくら感謝しても足りないくらいです。
how much thank even if not enough level is.
Ikura + verb-te + mo + tarinai kurai desu
いくら努力しても、結果が出ないことがあります。
no matter how much effort is made, results may not come out.
Ikura + noun/verb-te + mo, negative potential verb
この件については、いくらでも協力します。
regarding this matter, any amount of cooperation I will do.
Noun + ni tsuite wa, ikura demo + verb
いくら説明を加えても、彼の理解は進まなかった。
no matter how much explanation was added, his understanding did not progress.
Ikura + noun + o + kakuoite mo, negative verb
この絵はいくらで評価されていますか？
this painting is for how much is it being valued?
Noun + wa + ikura de hyouka sarete imasu ka
いくら安くても、品質が悪ければ買いません。
no matter how cheap it is, if quality is bad I won't buy.
Ikura + adjective-ku + temo, conditional clause
いくらでも構いませんので、ご意見をお聞かせください。
any amount is fine so please let me hear your opinion.
Ikura demo + kamaimasen node, request form
この問題の解決には、いくらかかるか見当もつかない。
this problem's solution for, how much it will cost even a guess cannot be made.
Noun + no + noun + ni wa, ikura kakaruka + negative potential
いくら待っても、彼は現れなかった。
no matter how long I waited, he did not appear.
Ikura + verb-te + mo, negative verb
いくら緻密な計画を立てても、予期せぬ事態は起こりうる。
no matter how meticulous a plan is made, unforeseen circumstances can occur.
Ikura + adjective + na + noun + o + tatete mo, potential verb
その作家は、いくらでも書ける才能を持っていると言われている。
that author, any amount can write talent possesses is said.
Ikura demo + verb + ru + noun + o + motte iru to iwarete iru
いくら過去の栄光にしがみついても、現実は変わらない。
no matter how much clinging to past glory, reality will not change.
Ikura + noun + ni shigamitsuite mo, noun + wa + kawaranai
この芸術作品は、いくら払っても惜しくないほどの価値がある。
this artwork, how much pay even if regret not level of value exists.
Ikura + verb-te + mo + oshikunai hodo no + noun
いくら世論が反対しても、政府は法案を強行した。
no matter how much public opinion opposes, the government pushed the bill through.
Ikura + noun + ga + hantai shite mo, noun + wa + kyoukou shita
いくらでも受け入れられる懐の深さを見せた。
any amount can be accepted depth of heart was shown.
Ikura demo + ukeirerareru + noun + no + fukasa
いくら努力を重ねても、才能には敵わない。
no matter how much effort is piled up, talent cannot be matched.
Ikura + noun + o + kasanete mo, noun + ni wa + kanawanai
いくらでも好きなものを選んでください。
please choose anything you like.
Ikura demo + suki na + mono + o + erande kudasai
いくら弁舌を弄しても、その本質を見誤ることは許されない。
no matter how much eloquent speech is manipulated, mistaking its essence is not permitted.
Ikura + noun + o + rōshite mo, noun + o + miayamaru koto wa yurusarenai
その芸術家の作品は、いくら眺めても飽きることがない。
that artist's works, no matter how much gazed upon, satiety does not occur.
Ikura + verb-te + mo, akiru koto ga nai
いくら時代が移ろうとも、人間の本質的な欲求は変わらない。
no matter how much the era shifts, fundamental human desires do not change.
Ikura + noun + ga + utsurou tomo, noun + na + noun + wa + kawaranai
いくらでも構わないというのは、ある種の諦観の表れである。
any amount is fine is, a certain kind of resignation's manifestation is.
Ikura demo + kamawanai to iu no wa, aru shu no teikan no araware de aru
いくら理論武装しても、経験に勝るものはない。
no matter how much theoretical armament is done, experience surpasses nothing.
Ikura + noun + busō shite mo, noun + ni + masaru mono wa nai
いくらでも言葉を尽くしても、その感情の機微を表現しきれない。
no matter how much words are exhausted, that emotion's subtle nuances cannot be fully expressed.
Ikura demo + kotoba o tsukushite mo, noun + no + kibi o + hyōgen shi kirenai
いくら歴史を紐解いても、人類は同じ過ちを繰り返す。
no matter how much history is unraveled, humanity repeats the same mistakes.
Ikura + noun + o + himatodoite mo, noun + wa + onaji ayamachi o kurikaesu
いくらでも受け入れる用意があるというのは、真の寛容さの証である。
any amount is ready to accept is true tolerance's proof is.
Ikura demo + ukeireru youi ga aru to iu no wa, shin no kan'yōsa no akashi de aru
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"いくらでも"
Any amount; as much as you want.
このお店では、いくらでも好きなものを選べますよ。(Kono omise de wa, ikura demo suki na mono o erabemasu yo.) - In this shop, you can choose anything you like, any amount.
casual/neutral"いくら～ても"
No matter how much...; however much...
いくら言っても聞かない。(Ikura itte mo kikanai.) - No matter how much I tell him, he doesn't listen.
neutral"いくらも～ない"
Not even a little; not much at all.
彼にはいくらも期待していません。(Kare ni wa ikura mo kitai shite imasen.) - I don't expect much from him at all.
neutral"いくら払っても惜しくない"
Worth any price; priceless.
この経験は、いくら払っても惜しくない。(Kono keiken wa, ikura haratte mo oshikunai.) - This experience is worth any price.
neutral/formal"いくらでも構わない"
It doesn't matter how much; any amount is fine.
値段はいくらでも構いません。(Nezan wa ikura demo kamaimasen.) - The price doesn't matter.
neutral/formal"いくらでもある"
There is plenty of; available in abundance.
この情報なら、いくらでもあるよ。(Kono jouhou nara, ikura demo aru yo.) - If it's this information, there's plenty of it.
casual/neutralEasily Confused
Both ask about quantity/amount and can be used for price.
'いくら' is more direct for price and specific counts. 'どれくらい' is broader, often used for extent, duration, or abstract amounts, but can overlap with 'ikura' for price.
この時計はいくらですか？ (Price) vs. この時計はどれくらい持ちますか？ (How long does this watch last?)
Identical pronunciation.
One is an adverb (how much/many), the other is a noun (food). Written differently (hiragana vs. katakana). Context is crucial.
このいくらはいくらですか？ (How much is this salmon roe?)
Similar sound and related meaning ('some amount' / 'how much').
'いくら' is primarily interrogative ('how much?'). 'いくらか' can be interrogative but also declarative ('some amount', 'a certain amount').
いくらかお金がありますか？ (Do you have some money?) vs. いくらお金がありますか？ (How much money do you have?)
Sounds similar and relates to degree/amount.
'いくら' asks 'how much/many'. 'いくぶん' means 'somewhat', 'to some extent', and is used to describe a change or degree, not to ask a question.
いくぶん涼しくなりました。(It has become somewhat cooler.) - Statement, not a question about amount.
Sentence Patterns
Noun + は + いくらですか？
この本はいくらですか？ (Kono hon wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is this book?
Demonstrative + は + いくらですか？
これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is this?
いくら + Verb-て + も + ...
いくら食べても、お腹がいっぱになりません。(Ikura tabe temo, onaka ga ippai ni narimasen.) - No matter how much I eat, I don't get full.
いくら + Noun + が/を + Verb?
いくらお金が必要ですか？ (Ikura okane ga hitsuyou desu ka?) - How much money do you need?
いくら + で + Verb?
いくらで買えますか？ (Ikura de kaemasu ka?) - For how much can I buy it?
Word Family
Nouns
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
いくら is specific to asking 'how much' or 'how many'. For abstract concepts like 'how difficult' or 'how good', other words are needed.
They sound identical but have completely different meanings and uses. Context usually clarifies, but it's good to be aware.
Saying just 'いくら？' can sound abrupt or demanding, especially to someone you don't know well.
While いくら can sometimes imply 'how much' for uncountable things, it's more precise for countable items or money. For example, asking 'いくら水がありますか？' (How much water is there?) is less common than asking about price.
Learners might confuse it with simply stating a large quantity. It's about the persistence of the second clause despite the first.
Tips
Sound Association
Think of 'I cry!' when you see the price of something expensive. 'I cry... ikura!' This helps remember it's about price.
Always Add ですか for Politeness
When asking someone you don't know well, always finish with 'ですか？' (desu ka?) to make your question polite. 'いくらですか？' is your safest bet.
Shopping Essential
In Japan, it's common and expected to ask for prices. Don't hesitate to use 'いくらですか？' when shopping or dining out.
Quantity vs. Price
Remember 'いくら' works for both money and counts. Context is key! If you see multiple items, it might mean 'how many'; if it's a single item, it's likely 'how much'.
Tap That 'R'!
The Japanese 'r' sound in 'ikura' is a quick tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth, softer than an English 'r'. Practice saying 'ladder' quickly – that's close!
Don't Mix with イクラ
Be mindful of the homophone! While context helps, consciously remember that いくら (hiragana) is for asking, and イクラ (katakana) is for fish eggs.
Homophone Helper
The fact that 'ikura' (how much) and 'ikura' (salmon roe) sound the same is a great memory hook. Imagine asking 'How much does this salmon roe cost?' – it connects both meanings!
Role-Play Practice
Practice asking 'いくらですか？' with a language partner or even yourself. Imagine buying different items and practice asking the price and responding with numbers.
Using ～ぐらい for Estimates
When you want to ask for an approximate price or quantity, add 'ぐらい (gurai)' or 'くらい (kurai)' after 'ikura'. 'いくらぐらいですか？' (Ikura gurai desu ka?) means 'About how much is it?'
The Power of ～ても
Mastering the 'いくら～ても' structure opens up complex sentences expressing concession. Practice making sentences like 'いくら勉強しても、難しい' (No matter how much I study, it's difficult).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'icker' (like a sticker) that has a price tag on it. 'Ick-er-a'. How much does this sticker cost?
Visual Association
Picture yourself at a bustling Japanese market, pointing at various items and asking the vendor 'いくら？'.
Word Web
Challenge
Go to an online Japanese store and find 5 items. Write down the question 'いくらですか？' for each item.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: How much; to what extent (from 幾許 ikura)
Cultural Context
Asking 'ikura desu ka?' is generally polite and acceptable in most commercial and public settings. However, in very private or sensitive negotiations, direct price inquiries might be handled differently.
In English-speaking cultures, 'how much' is a fundamental question for commerce and curiosity. The Japanese 'ikura' serves the exact same purpose, making it easy for learners to grasp its importance.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Shopping in a store
- すみません、これ、いくらですか？ (Sumimasen, kore, ikura desu ka?) - Excuse me, how much is this?
- このシャツはいくらですか？ (Kono shatsu wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is this shirt?
- いくらぐらいですか？ (Ikura gurai desu ka?) - About how much is it?
Eating at a restaurant
- このメニューはいくらですか？ (Kono menyuu wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is this menu item?
- お会計はいくらですか？ (Okaikei wa ikura desu ka?) - What is the total bill?
- ビールはいくらですか？ (Biiru wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is a beer?
Using transportation
- 東京までいくらですか？ (Toukyou made ikura desu ka?) - How much is it to Tokyo?
- このバスはいくらですか？ (Kono basu wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is this bus ride?
- 電車賃はいくらぐらいですか？ (Denshachin wa ikura gurai desu ka?) - About how much is the train fare?
Asking about services
- 修理はいくらぐらいかかりますか？ (Shuuri wa ikura gurai kakarimasu ka?) - About how much will the repair cost?
- このサービスはいくらですか？ (Kono saabisu wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is this service?
- 入場料はいくらですか？ (Nyuujouryou wa ikura desu ka?) - How much is the admission fee?
Conversation Starters
"Excuse me, how much is this beautiful scarf?"
"I'm curious, about how much does a typical meal cost in this area?"
"If I wanted to buy this souvenir, how much would it be?"
"No matter how much I try, I can't figure out the price. Could you tell me how much it is?"
"Is there a discount? How much is it with the discount?"
Journal Prompts
Describe an item you recently bought and ask 'いくらでしたか？' (How much was it?).
Write about a time you were surprised by a price (either high or low). Use 'いくら' in your description.
Imagine you have unlimited money. What would you buy, and how much would you spend? Use 'いくらでも' in your writing.
Write a short story using the phrase 'いくら～ても' (no matter how much...). For example, 'No matter how much I studied, the test was difficult.'
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, 'いくら' can be used to ask about quantity, similar to 'how many'. For example, 'りんごはいくらですか？' can mean 'How many apples are there?' or 'How much do apples cost?'. However, for people, '何人 (nan-nin)' is more common.
'いくら' is generally used for prices and specific quantities. 'どれくらい' is broader and can ask 'how much' or 'to what extent' about both quantity and abstract concepts. They are often interchangeable for price.
You typically respond with the amount or price, often followed by the unit (like 円 - en for yen) and です (desu). For example, '千円です (Sen-en desu)' - 'It's 1000 yen'. You can also use ～ぐらい or ～くらい for approximations, like '千円ぐらいです (Sen-en gurai desu)'.
Primarily, yes. However, in expressions like 'いくら～ても' (no matter how much...) or 'いくらでも' (any amount), it functions within a statement to convey a broader meaning.
The most common and polite way is 'いくらですか？ (ikura desu ka?)'. Adding 'すみません (sumimasen)' before it makes it even more polite: 'すみません、これ、いくらですか？ (Sumimasen, kore, ikura desu ka?)' - 'Excuse me, how much is this?'
While its primary use is for price and quantity, 'いくら' can sometimes be used for abstract degrees, especially in the 'いくら～ても' structure (e.g., 'いくら心配しても...' - no matter how much you worry...). For asking 'how difficult' or 'how good', other words like 'どれくらい' or specific adjectives are more common.
This phrase means 'not even a little' or 'not much at all'. For example, 'お金はいくらもありません (Okane wa ikura mo arimasen)' means 'I don't have much money / I have no money at all'.
Yes! While they sound identical, いくら (hiragana) is the adverb meaning 'how much/many', and イクラ (katakana) refers to salmon roe. Context usually makes it clear, but it's important to know they are different.
Test Yourself
このりんごは ______ ですか？
いくら is used to ask about price or quantity.
What does 'いくらですか？' mean?
'いくら' specifically asks about price or quantity.
The word 'いくら' can be used to ask about the number of people attending an event.
'いくら' can be used for quantity, including the number of people in certain contexts, though '何人 (nan-nin)' is more common for people.
Word
Meaning
These are common expressions involving 'ikura'.
The standard sentence structure is: Subject + topic marker + noun + topic marker + ikura + desu ka.
いくら ______ 、彼は諦めなかった。
'いくら言っても' means 'no matter how much I told him'.
Which phrase implies something is priceless or worth any cost?
'いくら払っても惜しくない' directly translates to 'I wouldn't regret paying any amount'.
その芸術作品は、______ 眺めても飽きることがない。
'いくら眺めても飽きることがない' means 'no matter how much you gaze at it, you never get tired of it'.
Translate: 'How much is this ticket?'
'切符' means ticket, and 'いくらですか' means 'how much is it?'.
Translate: 'It costs about 500 yen.'
'ぐらい' or 'くらい' means 'about' or 'approximately'.
Score: /10
Summary
Mastering 'いくら' is essential for navigating daily transactions and expressing quantities in Japanese.
- いくら (ikura) means 'how much?' or 'how many?'.
- Used primarily for asking prices and quantities.
- Polite form is 'いくらですか？ (ikura desu ka?)'.
- Appears in useful expressions like 'いくらでも' (any amount) and 'いくら～ても' (no matter how much).
Sound Association
Think of 'I cry!' when you see the price of something expensive. 'I cry... ikura!' This helps remember it's about price.
Always Add ですか for Politeness
When asking someone you don't know well, always finish with 'ですか？' (desu ka?) to make your question polite. 'いくらですか？' is your safest bet.
Shopping Essential
In Japan, it's common and expected to ask for prices. Don't hesitate to use 'いくらですか？' when shopping or dining out.
Quantity vs. Price
Remember 'いくら' works for both money and counts. Context is key! If you see multiple items, it might mean 'how many'; if it's a single item, it's likely 'how much'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
More general words
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
ごろ
A2About, approximately (time).
うえ
A2At a higher position than.
絶対
B1Absolutely; definitely; never.
絶対に
B1Absolutely; definitely.
