German - Prices and Quantities

Wie viel kostet ___?

How much is ___?

Meaning: How much is ___?

When to use: Ask this when you want the price of one item. For plurals use 'Wie viel kosten ___?'. You can also say 'Was kostet ___?'.

Tip: Don't mix singular 'kostet' with plural nouns; say 'kosten' for plural.

Es kostet ___.

It's ___.

Meaning: It’s ___.

When to use: Use to answer with a single item's price. At the register people also say 'Das macht ___.' for the total.

Wie viel macht das zusammen?

How much is the total?

Meaning: How much is the total?

When to use: Ask this at the register when you want the full sum to pay.

Wie viele?

How many?

Meaning: How many?

When to use: Use for countable items (pieces). For uncountable amounts use 'Wie viel?'.

Tip: Don't use 'Wie viele' for mass nouns like 'Milch'—use 'Wie viel' instead.

Wie viel?

How much?

Meaning: How much?

When to use: Ask about amount, volume, or price. For price also say 'Wie viel kostet das?'.

___, bitte.

___, please.

Meaning: ___, please.

When to use: Use after a quantity or item name to ask politely, for example 'Zwei, bitte.' or 'Ein Brot, bitte.'

Nur ___, bitte.

Just ___, please.

Meaning: Just ___, please.

When to use: Use when you want only a limited quantity, for example when you don't want extras: 'Nur eins, bitte.'

Das ist zu teuer.

That's too expensive.

Meaning: That's too expensive.

When to use: Say this when an item's price is higher than you want to pay.

Haben Sie etwas Günstigeres?

Do you have a cheaper one?

Meaning: Do you have a cheaper one?

When to use: Ask a shop assistant politely if there is a lower-priced option. This uses formal 'Sie'.

Ich habe nicht genug Geld.

I don't have enough money.

Meaning: I don't have enough money.

When to use: Use when you need to explain you can't pay the full price right now.

Bar oder mit Karte?

Cash or card?

Meaning: Cash or card?

When to use: Ask this at the register to choose a payment method. Full form: 'Zahlen Sie bar oder mit Karte?'.

Ist das pro Stück?

Is that each?

Meaning: Is that each?

When to use: Use to ask if the stated price is for one item (per piece).

___ pro Stück.

___ each.

Meaning: ___ each.

When to use: Use to state a unit price, e.g. '2 Euro pro Stück.' The price usually comes before 'pro Stück'.