Meaning
A question asking for the price of an item.
Cultural Background
Prices in Korea always include VAT (Value Added Tax), so the price you are told after asking '얼마예요?' is the final price you pay. No math required at the register! Bargaining is common but should be done respectfully. Usually, you only bargain if you are buying multiple items. A common follow-up to '얼마예요?' is '좀 깎아주세요' (Please give a discount). In these stores, prices are fixed. Asking '얼마예요?' is fine if the tag is missing, but don't try to bargain here—it will be very awkward! On apps like 'Danggeun Market', people often use the shortened '얼마예요?' or even just '얼마인가요?' in chat. It's common to ask this even if the price is listed, just to start the conversation.
The 'Sajangnim' Hack
Always start with '사장님' (Sajangnim) when asking for the price at a stall. It builds instant rapport.
Rising Intonation
Make sure your voice goes UP at the end of '예요?'. If it goes down, it sounds like a statement ('This is how much it is').
Meaning
A question asking for the price of an item.
The 'Sajangnim' Hack
Always start with '사장님' (Sajangnim) when asking for the price at a stall. It builds instant rapport.
Rising Intonation
Make sure your voice goes UP at the end of '예요?'. If it goes down, it sounds like a statement ('This is how much it is').
Cash is King
If you ask the price at a street stall and it's cheap (under 5,000 won), try to pay with cash or a bank transfer.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to ask the price of 'this'.
이거 _______?
'얼마예요' is used for price. '누구' is who, '어디' is where, '뭐' is what.
Which of the following is the most polite way to ask a shopkeeper for the price?
Choose the best option:
'-예요' is the standard polite ending for social interactions.
Complete the dialogue at the market.
A: 사장님, 이 사과 _______? B: 삼천 원이에요.
The answer '삼천 원' (3,000 won) indicates a price was asked.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a high-end department store and want to sound very formal.
'-입니까' is the highest formality level, suitable for luxury stores.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises이거 _______?
'얼마예요' is used for price. '누구' is who, '어디' is where, '뭐' is what.
Choose the best option:
'-예요' is the standard polite ending for social interactions.
A: 사장님, 이 사과 _______? B: 삼천 원이에요.
The answer '삼천 원' (3,000 won) indicates a price was asked.
You are at a high-end department store and want to sound very formal.
'-입니까' is the highest formality level, suitable for luxury stores.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! If you are holding the item or pointing clearly, '얼마예요?' is perfectly natural and very common.
'이거' is the spoken, contracted form. '이것' is the written, formal form. Use '이거' when speaking.
Use '저거 얼마예요?' (How much is THAT over there?).
Not at all. In a retail setting, it's expected. However, a quick '안녕하세요' (Hello) before asking is always better.
You can say '네, 알겠습니다' (Okay, I understand) or '주세요' (Give it to me/I'll buy it).
You can ask them to write it down or show it on a calculator by saying '여기에 써 주세요' (Please write it here).
Yes, but it's more common to ask '얼마예요?' at the end or '커트 얼마예요?' (How much is a cut?) at the start.
It's not 'too' formal, but it can sound a bit like a textbook. '-예요' is much more natural for daily life.
'-죠' is a contraction of '-지요'. It's used when you're confirming something or want to sound softer and more conversational.
Say '백 그램에 얼마예요?' (How much per 100 grams?).
Related Phrases
얼마나 걸려요?
similarHow long does it take?
계산해 주세요
builds onPlease give me the bill / Please calculate.
비싸요
contrastIt's expensive.
싸요
contrastIt's cheap.
깎아주세요
builds onPlease give me a discount.
