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Grammar · Question words

いくら and いくつ, how much and how many

The pattern

ikura desu ka / ikutsu desu ka

いくら asks a price. いくつ asks a quantity when no specific counter fits, and also asks someone's age politely.

The mistake to avoid

Learn いくらですか before your first shopping trip. It works on anything.

Examples

Rōmaji help
kore wa ikura desu ka.
How much is this?
mikan wa ikutsu desu ka.
How many oranges?
kono shatsu wa ikura desu ka.
How much is this shirt?
ringo wa ikutsu arimasu ka.
How many apples are there?