How Much Is It in Spanish? Prices, Bargaining and Paying

Knowing how to ask a price and understand the answer helps in shops, markets and restaurants. The key phrases are “¿Cuánto cuesta esto?” (How much does this cost), “¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?” (Can I pay by card) and “¿Dónde está el cajero automático más cercano?” (Where is the nearest ATM).

• How much does this cost?

  ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?

  KWAN-toh KWES-tah ES-toh
• Can I pay by card?

  ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?

  PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah
• Can I get a receipt?

  ¿Puedo obtener un recibo?

  PWEH-doh ob-teh-NEHR oon reh-SEE-boh
• Ten

  Diez

  dee-EHS
• Hundred

  Cien

  THYEHN

Money and prices in Spanish-speaking countries

• Currencies. Spain uses the euro. Mexico uses the peso, and other countries use their own currency.
• Decimals. In Spain a comma marks the decimal, so 3,50 means three and a half. Mexico uses a point. Check the currency symbol.
• Bargaining. In shops prices are fixed. At street markets in many Latin American countries, bargaining is common, but be polite and friendly.
• Tax. Prices in Spain include VAT (IVA). Visitors from outside the EU can sometimes claim a refund on larger purchases.

Numbers you will hear

• Ten

  Diez

  dee-EHS
• Hundred

  Cien

  THYEHN
• Thousand

  Mil

  MEEL

Paying

• Can I pay by card?

  ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?

  PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah
• Where is the nearest ATM?

  ¿Dónde está el cajero automático más cercano?

  DOHN-deh es-TAH el kah-HEH-roh ow-toh-MAH-tee-koh mahs sehr-KAH-noh
• Can I get a receipt?

  ¿Puedo obtener un recibo?

  PWEH-doh ob-teh-NEHR oon reh-SEE-boh
• Do you have a discount?

  ¿Tiene algún descuento?

  tee-EH-neh al-GOON des-KWEN-toh

Other places you will ask “how much?”

• How much is a ticket to...?

  ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete a...?

  KWAN-toh KWES-tah oon bee-YEH-teh ah
• How much is the entrance fee?

  ¿Cuánto cuesta la entrada?

  KWAN-toh KWES-tah lah en-TRAH-dah
• How much is the buffet?

  ¿Cuánto cuesta el buffet?

  KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah ehl boof-FEHT

Bargaining and shopping phrases

• Do you have a better price?

  ¿Me hace un mejor precio?

  meh AH-seh oon meh-HOR PREH-syoh

  Markets only, and with a smile.
• That is too expensive

  Es demasiado caro

  ehs deh-mah-SYAH-doh KAH-roh
• Can I pay by card?

  ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?

  PWEH-doh pah-GAHR kohn tahr-HEH-tah
• Do you have change?

  ¿Tiene cambio?

  TYEH-neh KAHM-byoh

  Useful with large notes.
• I will take it

  Me lo llevo

  meh loh YEH-boh

  Said when you decide to buy.

A short scene: at a market stall

1. YouBuenos días. ¿Cuánto cuesta este bolso?BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs KWAHN-toh KWEH-stah EHS-teh BOHL-sohGood morning. How much is this bag?
2. SellerTreinta euros.TREYN-tah eh-OO-rohsThirty euros.
3. YouEs un poco caro. ¿Me hace un mejor precio?ehs oon POH-koh KAH-roh meh AH-seh oon meh-HOR PREH-syohIt is a bit expensive. Can you do a better price?
4. SellerVeinticinco, y es su último precio.beyn-tee-SEEN-koh ee ehs soo OOL-tee-moh PREH-syohTwenty-five, and that is my last price.
5. YouVale, me lo llevo.BAH-leh meh loh YEH-bohOK, I will take it.

Common mistakes

1. Reading 3,50 as three thousand. In Spain the comma is the decimal mark.
2. Haggling in a shop. Prices are fixed, so keep bargaining for markets.
3. Not checking the currency. Pesos and euros look similar on a sign.

For more, see our Spanish phrases for travel and how to order food in Spanish. All phrases here have audio; ask a native speaker if you need a particular nuance.