कितना है?
How much is it?
Littéralement: How much is?
Use `Kitna hai?` whenever you need to know a price or quantity in any daily situation.
En 15 secondes
- The universal Hindi phrase for asking 'How much?'.
- Essential for shopping, markets, and paying for services.
- Short, easy to remember, and works in almost any context.
Signification
This is your go-to phrase for asking the price of anything. Use it when you want to know how much money you need to pay for a snack, a souvenir, or a taxi ride.
Exemples clés
3 sur 7Buying a street snack
Bhaiya, ye samosa kitna hai?
Brother, how much is this samosa?
Paying a rickshaw driver
Station tak kitna hai?
How much to the station?
Asking a shopkeeper for a total
Total kitna hai?
How much is the total?
Contexte culturel
This phrase is central to the 'bazaar' culture of India, where price tags are often absent and verbal negotiation is expected. It reflects a culture that values direct interaction and the social dance of bargaining. In many regions, the tone of this phrase can signal whether you are a savvy local or a new tourist.
The 'Bhaiya' Boost
Always start with 'Bhaiya' (brother) or 'Didi' (sister) when asking a vendor. It builds instant rapport and might get you a better price!
Watch the Plural
If you're asking about multiple items (like 'How much are these?'), use 'Kitne' instead of 'Kitna'. It shows you know your grammar!
En 15 secondes
- The universal Hindi phrase for asking 'How much?'.
- Essential for shopping, markets, and paying for services.
- Short, easy to remember, and works in almost any context.
What It Means
Kitna hai? is the most basic way to ask for a price in Hindi. It literally translates to "How much is [it]?" It is short, direct, and incredibly useful. You will hear this everywhere from high-end malls to dusty roadside stalls. It is the heartbeat of commerce in India. If you see something you like, you point and say these two words.
How To Use It
Using it is as simple as it gets. You don't even need a full sentence. Just point at an object and ask Kitna hai?. If you want to be more specific, you can add the object name first. For example, Chai kitna hai? (How much is the tea?). The word kitna handles the quantity, and hai is the verb "is." It’s like a magic key that opens the door to any transaction. Just be prepared for the answer to come back in fast Hindi numbers!
When To Use It
Use it whenever money is about to change hands. It works at the grocery store, the vegetable market, or when paying a rickshaw driver. It is perfect for casual shopping. You can also use it when asking about non-monetary quantities. Like asking how much sugar is in your tea. Or how much time is left in a movie. It is a versatile tool for any "how much" situation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you are asking about people. For people, you use kitne (plural) or ask about their number. Also, avoid using it in very formal business negotiations for large contracts. In those cases, words like keemat (price) or laagat (cost) sound more professional. Don't use it if you are asking "How many?" for countable items like apples; kitne is better there. But honestly, even if you mess up, people will still understand you.
Cultural Background
In India, asking Kitna hai? is often just the start of a conversation. It is the opening bell for the great Indian pastime: bargaining. If you are at a local market, the first price you hear is rarely the final one. The phrase is a bridge between a stranger and a seller. It shows you are interested and ready to engage. It’s a very practical, no-nonsense expression that reflects the busy, commercial nature of Indian streets.
Common Variations
You might hear Kitne ka hai? which means "For how much is it?" This is slightly more common for specific items. If you are buying multiple things, you might say Sab milakar kitna hai? (How much is it all together?). If you want to sound a bit more polite, you can add Bhaiya (Brother) at the beginning. Bhaiya, kitna hai? makes the interaction feel much friendlier and less like a cold transaction. It’s the secret sauce for better service!
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral and safe for almost all daily interactions. While technically 'Kitna' should change gender (Kitni) or number (Kitne), using 'Kitna hai' as a fixed expression for 'How much?' is widely understood and rarely seen as a mistake in casual trade.
The 'Bhaiya' Boost
Always start with 'Bhaiya' (brother) or 'Didi' (sister) when asking a vendor. It builds instant rapport and might get you a better price!
Watch the Plural
If you're asking about multiple items (like 'How much are these?'), use 'Kitne' instead of 'Kitna'. It shows you know your grammar!
The Bargaining Rule
In local markets, 'Kitna hai?' is just the opening. If the price feels high, follow up with 'Theek se lagao' (Give me a fair price).
Exemples
7Bhaiya, ye samosa kitna hai?
Brother, how much is this samosa?
Adding 'ye' (this) makes it very specific.
Station tak kitna hai?
How much to the station?
Used here to ask for a fare before starting the ride.
Total kitna hai?
How much is the total?
Mixing English 'total' with Hindi is very common in India.
Mera hissa kitna hai?
How much is my share?
Used when splitting a dinner bill with friends.
Kya? Itna kitna hai?!
What? How much is it exactly?!
Doubling the 'kitna' adds emphasis to your shock at the price.
Time kitna hai?
How much time is there?
A common way to ask how much time is remaining for a task.
Iska daam kitna hai?
What is the price of this?
Using 'daam' (price) makes it slightly more formal.
Teste-toi
You are at a fruit stall and want to know the price of mangoes.
Aam ___ hai?
`Kitna` is the correct word for 'how much' when asking for a price.
Ask the total amount for all items together.
Sab milakar ___?
`Sab milakar kitna hai?` is the standard way to ask for a total sum.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Kitna hai?'
Used with friends or familiar vendors.
Kitna hai?
Standard way to ask in shops.
Iska kitna hai?
Asking for a formal price or cost.
Iska moolya kitna hai?
Where to use 'Kitna hai?'
Street Food
Chai kitna hai?
Transport
Auto kitna hai?
Market
Ye kurta kitna hai?
Time
Time kitna hai?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsMostly yes, but it can also refer to quantity. For example, Doodh kitna hai? means 'How much milk is there?'
Kitna is for singular/uncountable things (like price or salt), while Kitne is for plural countable things (like apples or people).
It's not rude, but it's very direct. Adding Bhaiya or Ji makes it sound much softer and more polite.
You can say Sab milakar kitna hai? which means 'How much is it all together?'
It's better to ask for the bill by saying Bill le aaiye or asking Bill kitna hua? (How much did the bill come to?).
Use Kitne. For example, Kitne log hain? means 'How many people are there?'
Yes, you can use Keemat or Daam. For example, Iska daam kitna hai?
Technically yes, it becomes Kitni hai? for feminine things like Chai (tea), but in casual price-talk, Kitna hai is often accepted.
If it's okay, say Theek hai. If it's too much, say Bahut zyada hai! (It's too much!).
Yes! Time kitna hai? is a very common way to ask 'What time is it?' or 'How much time is left?'
Expressions liées
Kitne ka hai?
For how much is it?
Bahut zyada hai
It is too much (too expensive).
Kam karo
Reduce it (lower the price).
Theek hai
It's okay / Fine.
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