In this workshop you will practice asking how much it costs to ship an item, whether the price changes by weight, and what the weight limit is. You will use polite Japanese phrases that work at a post office or courier counter. You will hear short exchanges between a customer and staff, then try both roles yourself. The focus is on speaking clearly and understanding the replies you are likely to hear.
Asking the basic shipping cost
Start with the most useful question: how much does it cost to send this? The phrase «これの送料はいくらですか。» means "How much is the shipping cost for this?" You can say it while holding or pointing to your item. At the counter, staff may weigh your package and give you a price. In the recorded exchange, the customer says «すみません、これの送料はいくらですか。» and the staff replies «重さを量りますね。…はい、一キロまでなら五百円です。». The staff says they will weigh it, then gives a price for up to one kilogram. Listen for the weight and the amount. When you practice, say the customer line clearly and politely. Then switch roles and imagine you are the staff giving the price.
Checking weight-based pricing
Sometimes the price depends on weight. To check this, ask «重さで料金が変わりますか。», which means "Does the price change by weight?" This is a yes-or-no question, so listen for hai (yes) or iie (no) at the start of the reply. In the recorded exchange, the customer asks «重さで料金が変わりますか。» and the staff answers «はい、一キロごとに百円ずつ増えます。». The staff confirms that the price increases by 100 yen for each additional kilogram. Notice the pattern: weight unit plus goto ni plus amount plus zutsu fuemasu. You do not need to memorize the grammar now. Just listen for the weight unit and the extra charge. Then practice asking the question and giving a simple reply.
Asking about weight limits and cheapest options
If your package is heavy, you may need to know the maximum weight. Ask «この荷物は何キロまで送れますか。», which means "Up to how many kilograms can this package be sent?" The word nan-kiro means "how many kilograms." Staff may reply with a number and made, meaning "up to." You can also ask for the cheapest method with «一番安い方法は何ですか。», which means "What is the cheapest method?" This is useful when you are flexible about delivery time. Practice saying both questions slowly. Always repeat the number you hear to confirm you understood correctly.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
これの送料はいくらですか。
How much is the shipping cost for this?
Kore no sōryō wa ikura desu ka.
重さで料金が変わりますか。
Does the price change by weight?
Omosa de ryōkin ga kawarimasu ka.
この荷物は何キロまで送れますか。
Up to how many kilograms can this package be sent?
Kono nimotsu wa nan-kiro made okuremasu ka.
一番安い方法は何ですか。
What is the cheapest method?
Ichiban yasui hōhō wa nan desu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、これの送料はいくらですか。
Excuse me, how much is the shipping cost for this?重さを量りますね。…はい、一キロまでなら五百円です。
I'll weigh it. …Okay, if it's up to 1 kg, it's 500 yen.重さで料金が変わりますか。
Does the price change by weight?はい、一キロごとに百円ずつ増えます。
Yes, it increases by 100 yen for each additional 1 kg.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and answer shipping cost
You are at a post office counter with a small package. You will play both the customer and the staff. Use the recorded lines to guide you.
Your task: First, play the customer. Say the line from «すみません、これの送料はいくらですか。» to ask the shipping cost. Then play the staff. Say the line from «重さを量りますね。…はい、一キロまでなら五百円です。» to weigh the package and give the price. Repeat the exchange twice, switching roles each time. Focus on clear pronunciation and polite tone.
Reply comprehension: does the price change by weight?
You will hear a customer ask about weight-based pricing and a staff reply. Your job is to understand the reply and choose the correct meaning.
Your task: Listen to the exchange with «重さで料金が変わりますか。» and «はい、一キロごとに百円ずつ増えます。». The customer asks if the price changes by weight. The staff answers. After listening, decide: does the price increase by a fixed amount for each additional kilogram, or does it stay the same? Say your answer out loud. Then repeat the staff line from «はい、一キロごとに百円ずつ増えます。» to practice the rhythm.
Recall and role switch: weight limit and cheapest method
You have a heavier package and want to know the weight limit and the cheapest option. You will recall the questions and practice both roles.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, try to say the question for asking the weight limit. Then say the question for asking the cheapest method. After that, play the staff and imagine giving a simple reply with a weight number and a price. Use the recorded lines «この荷物は何キロまで送れますか。» and «一番安い方法は何ですか。» to check yourself after you try.
Common questions
Can I use these phrases at any post office or courier counter in Japan?
These polite phrases are standard for asking about shipping costs, weight-based pricing, and weight limits. They work at post offices and courier counters. Staff may reply with different prices or weight limits depending on the service, so listen carefully for numbers.
What if I don't understand the staff's reply?
You can politely ask them to repeat by saying sumimasen, mō ichido onegaishimasu. You can also repeat the number you heard and ask if it is correct. Practicing the recorded lines will help you recognize common words like kiro (kilogram) and en (yen).
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about shipping costChecked September 2026
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