Shopping in Japanese — Essential Phrases for Buying in Japan
Learn Japanese shopping vocabulary and phrases. How to ask prices, sizes, try things on, and pay at Japanese stores. JLPT N5 level.
Shopping in Japan is manageable with just a few key phrases. The demonstrative trio これ (this), それ (that near you), and あれ (that over there) lets you point to anything. Combine with を ください (please give me) or いくら ですか (how much?) and you can navigate any Japanese store. Many stores now accept カード (card) payments.
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| いくら ですか | ikura desu ka | how much is it? |
| これ | kore | this (near me) |
| それ | sore | that (near you) |
| あれ | are | that (over there) |
| ください | kudasai | please give me |
| カード | kaado | card (credit/debit) |
Example Sentences
- これ は いくら ですかkore wa ikura desu kaHow much is this?
- それ を くださいsore wo kudasaiPlease give me that
- カード で いいですかkaado de ii desu kaIs card OK?
- もう すこし やすい の は ありますかmou sukoshi yasui no wa arimasu kaDo you have something cheaper?
Study Tips
- 1これ/それ/あれ (this/that/that over there) are your best friends when shopping
- 2Point and say これ を ください — you don't need to know the item name
- 3いくら ですか works for anything — food, clothes, souvenirs
- 4Practice numbers so you can understand the price answer
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