Unit 4 - Section 4: Age and Prices

Practice Quiz

Age and Prices (年齢・値段)

Learn how to express age, ask someone's age, and talk about prices using Japanese counters.

Age (年齢 nenrei)

Pattern: [Number] + 歳 (さい) or 才 (さい)

Usage: Express someone's age

Note: 歳 and 才 are both acceptable, but 歳 is more formal

Examples:
Japanese Romaji English
五歳 gosai 5 years old
十五歳 juugosai 15 years old
二十歳 hatachi 20 years old
三十五歳 sanjuugosai 35 years old
六十八歳 rokujuuhassai 68 years old
百歳 hyakusai 100 years old
How to ask age:
おいくつですか。(formal/polite)
[Oikutsu desu ka]
Translation: How old are you?
何歳ですか。(standard)
[Nansai desu ka]
Translation: How old are you?
私わたしは二十四歳です。
[Watashi wa nijuuyonsai desu]
Translation: I am 24 years old.

Prices (値段 nedan) - Japanese Yen (円)

Pattern: [Number] + 円 (えん)

Usage: Express prices in Japanese yen

Symbol: ¥ or 円 after the number

Examples:
Japanese Romaji English
百円 hyakuen 100 yen
千円 sen-en 1,000 yen
五千円 gosen-en 5,000 yen
一万円 ichiman-en 10,000 yen
十万円 juu-man en 100,000 yen
How to ask the price:
これはいくらですか。
[Kore wa ikura desu ka]
Translation: How much is this?
いくらですか。
[Ikura desu ka]
Translation: How much?
この本ほんは千円です。
[Kono hon wa sen-en desu]
Translation: This book is 1,000 yen.

Shopping Dialogue

Customer: すみません。これはいくらですか。
[Sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka]
Excuse me, how much is this?

Staff: これは千二百円です。
[Kore wa sen nihyakuen desu]
This is 1,200 yen.

Customer: そうですか。では、二つください。
[Sou desu ka. Dewa, futatsu kudasai]
I see. Then, I'll take two.

Staff: かしこまりました。合計で二千四百円です。
[Kashikomarimashita. Gokei de nisen yonhyakuen desu]
Understood. The total is 2,400 yen.

Japanese Currency Note

Exchange rate (approximate): 1 USD ≈ 100-110 yen

Common coins and bills:

  • Coins: 1円, 5円, 10円, 50円, 100円, 500円
  • Bills: 1000円, 5000円, 10000円

Payment tip: When paying in Japan, it's common to place money in the small tray at the register rather than handing it directly.

Study Tips

Master Age and Prices:
  • Age formula: Number + さい = age
  • Special number: 20 years old is はたち (hatachi) not にじゅっさい
  • Price asking: Use いくら for "how much" and いくらですか for "how much is it"
  • Large numbers: Learn to recognize 万 (man = 10,000) for large prices
  • Practice shopping: Practice asking prices at shops or online Japanese stores
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz