Japanese Phrases for Shopping and Bargaining

Shopping Phrases Beyond いくらですか

Most learners know いくらですか (how much?). But shopping conversations involve much more — trying things on, asking about availability, comparing products, and handling payment. These phrases will make you comfortable in any Japanese retail environment.

Finding What You Want

Asking About Price and Discounts

Note: Bargaining Etiquette

Bargaining is NOT expected or appropriate in regular Japanese shops, department stores, or supermarkets. It IS acceptable at:

• フリーマーケット (flea markets)
• アンティーク/骨董屋 (antique shops) — sometimes
• Electronics or appliance stores (when buying high-value items)

Payment

Yuka & Rei Go Shopping

Here is how these phrases sound in a real exchange. Notice how naturally the expressions flow — and how the conversation stays polite even when things get complicated.

Yuka

Rei, I went to a clothing shop in Japan and the staff said いらっしゃいませ and I just froze. What was I supposed to do?

Rei

Nothing! いらっしゃいませ is the staff greeting — ‘Welcome!’ You don’t need to respond. A slight nod or smile is fine. Don’t stress about it!

Yuka

Good to know. Then I wanted to try on a jacket but couldn’t figure out how to ask.

Rei

Say: これ、きてみてもいいですか？ — ‘May I try this on?’ Or point and say しちゃくしてもいいですか？ Staff will immediately take you to the fitting room.

Yuka

And when something is too expensive and I want to think about it?

Rei

Just say すこしかんがえます — ‘I’ll think about it a little’ — and you’re free to go without any pressure. Or if you can’t find what you want: べつのいろはありますか？ — ‘Do you have this in another colour?’

5 Practice Sentences — Read These Aloud

Reading aloud forces your brain to process the phrase as sound, not just text. Do it five times for each sentence.

1. このシャツ、べつのいろはありますか？
   Do you have this shirt in another colour?
2. これ、しちゃくしてもいいですか？
   May I try this on?
3. すこしおおきいサイズはありますか？
   Do you have a slightly larger size?
4. クレジットカードでしはらえますか？
   Can I pay by credit card?
5. ふくろはけっこうです。そのままでいいです。
   I don’t need a bag. It’s fine as it is.

Your Turn! Leave Your Example in the Comments

The fastest way to make new phrases stick is to use them yourself. Pick one or two expressions from this article and write a sentence — or even a short conversation — based on your own life.

Drop your answer in the comments below. Other learners will read it, and seeing real examples from fellow students is one of the most motivating parts of learning a language. If you log in, your past comments stay on your profile — and our most active commenters appear in the Top Commenters list in the sidebar!

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