German grammar › A1

Shopping — Was kostet das?

Level A1 · Ich brauche … · Was kostet das? · zwei Euro fünfzig

What will you learn here?

How to buy things at a market or shop: say what you need, how many, and ask the price.

When you need it

  • Markets, bakeries, small shops.
  • Understanding prices when someone says them.

Two key sentences

Ich brauche … · Was kostet das?

Examples

  • Sechs Äpfel, bitte. — Six apples, please.
  • Das kostet zwei Euro fünfzig. — That costs two euros fifty.

Remember: Euro never changes: ein Euro, zwei Euro.

Uses Numbers — Zahlen.

One simple idea

Ich brauche … to say what you need · Was kostet das? to ask the price

Two sentences carry most of a shopping trip.

You say

  • Ich brauche Äpfel. — I need apples.
  • Sechs Äpfel, bitte. — Six apples, please.
  • Ein Brot, bitte. — A loaf of bread, please.
  • Was kostet das? — How much is it?
  • Hier, bitte. — Here you are.

Hear every word in the app.

The seller says

  • Kann ich Ihnen helfen? — Can I help you?
  • Wie viele möchten Sie? — How many would you like?
  • Das kostet zwei Euro. — That costs two euros.
  • Zusammen fünf Euro. — Five euros altogether.

Hear every word in the app.

Prices
  • 2 € = zwei Euro — Euro stays the same: ein Euro, zwei Euro
  • 2,50 € = zwei Euro fünfzig — say the cents after Euro

Talk: at the market

You are at a market. You need six apples and a loaf of bread.

  • Verkäuferin: Guten Tag! Kann ich Ihnen helfen? — Hello! Can I help you?
  • You: Ja, ich brauche Äpfel. — Yes, I need apples.
  • Verkäuferin: Wie viele möchten Sie? — How many would you like?
  • You: Sechs Äpfel, bitte. — Six apples, please.
  • Verkäuferin: Gern. Sonst noch etwas? — Sure. Anything else?
  • You: Ja, ein Brot. Was kostet das? — Yes, a loaf of bread. How much is it?
  • Verkäuferin: Zusammen fünf Euro. — Five euros altogether.
  • You: Hier, bitte. — Here you are.
  • Verkäuferin: Danke! Schönen Tag noch! — Thanks! Have a nice day!

Hear every word in the app.

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