Hebrew for Asking Prices in Israel

When you shop in Israel, one of the most useful things you can say is: כמה זה עולה?
How much does it cost?

If you are pointing at something, כמה זה? is also very common and often enough on its own.

The main price questions

These are the most natural ways to ask about a price:

• כמה זה עולה? — How much does it cost?
• כמה זה? — How much is it?
• כמה עולה החולצה? — How much does the shirt cost?
• כמה עולה התיק? — How much does the bag cost?

A quick note: כמה עולה זה? is understandable, but כמה זה עולה? or כמה זה? sounds more natural.

Useful words for prices

These words come up all the time:

• מחיר — price
• זול — cheap
• יקר — expensive
• מבצע — sale / special offer
• הנחה — discount
• עולה — costs
• שקל / שקלים — shekel / shekels
• ש״ח — the written abbreviation for shekels

Examples:

• מה המחיר? — What is the price?
• יש הנחה? — Is there a discount?
• זה במבצע? — Is this on sale?
• זה יקר. — This is expensive.
• זה זול יותר. — This is cheaper.

Hearing the answer

In Israel, prices are usually given in שקלים.

Examples:

• עשרה שקלים — ten shekels
• עשרים שקלים — twenty shekels
• מאה שקלים — one hundred shekels

If someone answers quickly, you can simply say:

• סליחה? — Sorry? / Excuse me?
• אפשר שוב? — Can you say it again?
• כמה? — How much?

If you need help with numbers, review Hebrew for Buying Fruit and Vegetables. That page also uses everyday price language in a shopping setting.

Useful follow-up questions

Once you know the price, you may want to ask:

• אפשר לשלם במזומן? — Can I pay in cash?
• אפשר בכרטיס? — Can I pay by card?
• זה כולל מע״מ? — Does that include VAT?
• אפשר קבלה? — Can I get a receipt?
• אפשר פחות? — Can it be less? / Can you lower the price?

אפשר פחות? can sound direct. It is more likely to fit a market or a casual bargaining situation than a regular store.

Where you will use this

These phrases are useful in places like:

• clothing stores
• open markets
• electronics shops
• salons and service businesses
• taxis and deliveries when you need to confirm a price

If you are shopping for clothes, Hebrew for Clothing Stores in Israel is a good next step. If you are dealing with a ride or fare, Hebrew for Taxi Rides in Israel is more relevant.

A simple conversation

אתה: כמה זה עולה?
מוכר: מאה ועשרים שקלים.
אתה: יש הנחה?
מוכר: כן, עשרה אחוז.

This is a very normal pattern: ask the price, hear the number, then ask whether there is a discount.

Quick tip

If you want the shortest and most natural version, use:

כמה זה?

Point to the item, and wait for the number. In many situations, that is all you need.