TOPIK 1 Speaking: Asking How Much Something Costs

Understanding the Basics

Okay, you’ve started learning Korean and you want to be able to actually talk about it! Asking how much something costs is a super common and useful conversation starter. This article focuses on getting you comfortable with simple phrases and pronunciation – perfect for TOPIK 1.

Essential Vocabulary

• 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) – Hello
• 저기요 (jeogiyo) – Excuse me (used to get someone’s attention)
• 이거 (igeo) – This/It
• 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) – How much is it?
• 원 (won) – Korean currency (one unit)
• 천 원 (cheon won) – Thousand Won (1,000 Won)
• 백 원 (baek won) – Hundred Won (100 Won)

Simple Dialogue 1: Buying an Apple

Let’s look at a common situation: buying fruit. Here’s how you might ask the price of an apple:

You: 안녕하세요! 이거 얼마예요? (Annyeonghaseyo! Igeo eolmayeyo?)
Vendor:  이 사과 2천 원입니다. (I sagwa 2cheon won imnida.) - This apple is 2,000 Won.
You:  알겠습니다. (Algetseumnida) – Okay/Understood.

Breakdown:

• ‘안녕하세요’ – A polite greeting.
• ‘이거 얼마예요?’ – Literally, “This, how much?” This is the most common way to ask for the price.
• ‘사과 (sagwa)’ – Apple
• ‘2천 원입니다 (2cheon won imnida)’ – ‘Two thousand Won’ (formal/polite response).

Common Mistakes & Corrections

Many beginners make these mistakes:

• Mistake: “얼마? (eolma?)” – This is too informal for most situations. Correction: Always use “얼마예요?” (eolmayeyo?)
• Mistake: Forgetting the honorific “요” at the end of questions and sentences. It’s crucial! Correction: Remember to add ‘요’ – 안녕하세요요, 얼마예요요?

Dialogue 2: Buying a Snack

Here’s another scenario, focusing on getting a snack:

You: 저기요! 이것 얼마예요? (Jeogiyo! Igeot eolmayeyo?)
Vendor:  이 과자 1천 원입니다. (I gwaja 1cheon won imnida.) – This snack is 1,000 Won.
You: 하나 드릴까요? (Hana deurilkkayo?) - Shall I give you one? (Offering to buy)
Vendor: 네, 감사합니다. (Ne, gamsahamnida.) - Yes, thank you.

Vocabulary added:

• 과자 (gwaja) – Snack/Biscuit
• 하나 (hana) – One
• 드릴까요 (deurilkkayo?) – Shall I give you…? (Polite offer)

Tips for Success

• Practice pronunciation: Listen to native Korean speakers and mimic their sounds.
• Start small: Focus on mastering these basic phrases first.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! It’s part of the learning process. Most Koreans will appreciate your effort to speak their language.