How to say “How much” in Korean
- 얼마예요eolmayeyo
How much is it?
"How much" in Korean is 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?), which means "How much is it?" Point at something and add 이거 (igeo, "this") to ask about a specific item. It works in shops, markets, taxis and cafes.
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 얼마예요 eolmayeyo | Polite | The everyday way to ask a price. Polite enough for any shop. |
| 이거 얼마예요 igeo eolmayeyo | Polite | "How much is this?" Point at the item as you say it. |
| 전부 얼마예요 jeonbu eolmayeyo | Polite | "How much is it all together?" Useful at a market stall when you buy several things. |
| 얼마야 eolmaya | Casual | With friends, for example asking what they paid for something. |
| 얼마입니까 eolmaimnikka | Formal | Very formal. You will hear it in textbooks and announcements more than in shops. |
Examples
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Pointing at an item in a market
Paying for several things at a stall
Asking a friend about a bag they like
Tips
The correct spelling is 얼마예요, not 얼마에요. After a word ending in a vowel, "is" becomes 예요. Many Koreans misspell it too, so don't worry if you see both.
Prices are said with Sino-Korean numbers plus 원 (won): 천 원 (cheon won) is 1,000 won and 만 원 (man won) is 10,000 won. If the number is too fast, ask the seller to show you on a calculator or phone.
In traditional markets a little bargaining is sometimes fine. You can try 좀 깎아 주세요 (jom kkakka juseyo, "a small discount, please"). In shops and department stores prices are fixed.
More on 얼마예요 in our Korean phrase guides.
Questions learners ask
Is it 얼마예요 or 얼마에요?
얼마예요 is the correct spelling. 얼마에요 is a very common mistake, even among native speakers.
How do you ask for a discount in Korean?
Say 좀 깎아 주세요 (jom kkakka juseyo). It is most natural at street markets, not in chain stores.