How to Ask 'How Much Is This?' in Italian and Understand the Answer
Learn to ask the price of a single item in Italian using 'Quanto costa?' and 'Quanto viene?', and understand common responses like 'Costa dieci euro' or 'Sono cinque euro'.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you're shopping in Italy, knowing how to ask the price of a specific item is essential. Unlike asking about quantity (for example, 'How many apples?'), this lesson focuses on cost: 'How much is this?' You'll learn the most common ways to ask, how to understand the answer, and how to use the right verb for singular and plural items. We'll also cover polite forms and regional variations so you can shop with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- ask the price of a single item using 'Quanto costa?' or 'Quanto viene?'.
- understand and respond to price answers like 'Costa dieci euro' or 'Sono cinque euro'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Quanto costa?
How much does it cost?
KWAHN-toh KOH-stah
Standard way to ask the price of one item. Use when pointing at a single object.
Quanto viene?
How much is it? (literally 'How much does it come to?')
KWAHN-toh VYEH-neh
Very common in shops, slightly more conversational than 'Quanto costa?'. Used for one item.
Quanto costano?
How much do they cost?
KWAHN-toh KOH-stah-noh
Use for plural items, like a pair of shoes or multiple souvenirs.
Costa dieci euro.
It costs ten euros.
KOH-stah DYEH-chee EH-oo-roh
Typical answer for a single item. 'Euro' is invariable in Italian; it doesn't become 'euros'.
Sono cinque euro.
They are five euros. / It's five euros (for plural items).
SOH-noh CHEEN-kweh EH-oo-roh
Used when the item is plural or when referring to multiple things. Also common for a total price.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Quanto costa?' for one item and 'Quanto costano?' for more than one. The verb 'costare' (to cost) changes to match the subject. For example, 'Quanto costa la borsa?' (How much is the bag?) but 'Quanto costano le scarpe?' (How much are the shoes?). In everyday speech, many Italians also use 'Quanto viene?' or 'Quanto vengono?' with the same meaning. The answer often uses the same verb: 'Costa...' or 'Costano...', or simply 'Sono...' for plural. Remember that 'euro' stays the same in singular and plural.
When to use it
Use 'Quanto costa?' when you are asking about a single item you are pointing at or holding. If you are asking about several items together, use 'Quanto costano?'. In a shop, you can also ask 'Quanto viene?' for a single item; it's slightly more casual but perfectly polite. When you hear the answer, listen for 'costa' (singular) or 'sono' (plural). For example, if the seller says 'Costa venti euro', you know it's one item. If they say 'Sono venti euro', it could be plural or a total. If you need to clarify, you can ask 'In tutto?' (In total?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, quanto costa questa maglietta?
Excuse me, how much is this T-shirt?SKOO-zee, KWAHN-toh KOH-stah KWEH-stah mah-LYEHT-tahCosta quindici euro.
It costs fifteen euros.KOH-stah KWEEN-dee-chee EH-oo-rohE quanto costano quei pantaloni?
And how much are those trousers?eh KWAHN-toh KOH-stah-noh KWEH-ee pahn-tah-LOH-neeSono trenta euro.
They are thirty euros.SOH-noh TREHN-tah EH-oo-rohA little context goes a long way
In Italy, asking for prices is normal in shops and markets, but tone matters. Use 'Scusi' (Excuse me) to get attention politely, especially with older shopkeepers. In small boutiques, it's common to greet with 'Buongiorno' before asking. In markets, bargaining is more accepted, but in regular shops prices are fixed. Regional differences: in the south, you might hear 'Quanto costa?' pronounced with a stronger accent, but the phrase is standard everywhere. Avoid using 'Quanto?' alone; it sounds incomplete.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Quanto costa?' for plural items, e.g., 'Quanto costa le scarpe?'
Try this instead: For plural, use 'Quanto costano?' or 'Quanto vengono?'. Example: 'Quanto costano le scarpe?' (How much are the shoes?). The verb must agree with the plural subject.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask the price of a single book in Italian?
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Quanto costa questo libro?
This uses the singular verb 'costa' because 'libro' is singular. You could also say 'Quanto viene questo libro?' which is equally correct in conversation.
2What does 'Sono dieci euro' mean, and when would you hear it?
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It means 'They are ten euros' or 'It's ten euros' for a total. You hear it when the item is plural or when referring to multiple items together.
The verb 'sono' is plural, so it's used for more than one item or a total sum. If it were one item, the seller would say 'Costa dieci euro'.
3Translate: 'How much do they cost?' (referring to multiple items)
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Quanto costano?
This is the plural form of 'Quanto costa?'. You could also say 'Quanto vengono?' for a more conversational tone.
Use 'Quanto costa?' for one item and 'Quanto costano?' for more than one. Listen for 'costa' or 'sono' in the answer to know if it's singular or plural. 'Quanto viene?' is a common alternative in shops.
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