How Much Is This

And I'm Leo. Let's get started.

Okay, Bella, I have to show you something today.

Oh? You walked in looking very proud. What is it?

This jacket. Mustard yellow. I bought it myself last weekend.

It's a great color. Where did you find it?

At a little shop near the station. And here's the big thing.

I bought it in English. All by myself.

Wait, really? You? Tell me everything.

So today, let's talk about shopping. Asking prices, buying clothes.

Yes, let's. But first, I need the whole story.

So I saw this jacket on a rack by the door.

And you wanted it right away?

I did. But I had no idea how much it cost.

So you had to ask the price. That's the scary part for a lot of people.

It is. My heart was beating. But I held it up and I asked.

And what exactly did you say?

I said, How much this?

Oh, Leo. So close. The seller understood you, right?

They did. They told me the price and I paid.

Good. But there's one tiny word missing. Can you hear it?

A missing word. Hmm. How much this. What did I drop?

How much IS this. You need the little word is.

How much is this. Ohh. That one small word.

Right. How much is this. That's the full, natural question.

How much is this. It flows better. I can hear it now.

And you point at the thing while you say it.

So I hold up the jacket and say, How much is this?

Perfect. That's the whole question. Nothing more.

Now stand up for a second. Let me look at that jacket.

Sure. Why? Does it look bad?

It looks good. But the shoulders are a bit tight. See?

Oh. You're right. The sleeves are a little short too.

So it doesn't quite fit. Did you try it on in the shop?

No. I was too nervous. I just paid and left.

Ah. Try it on. Try it on means put it on to check the fit.

Next time, before you buy, you ask this. Do you have a bigger size?

Do you have a bigger size. So I ask for more room.

Right. Bigger for more room, smaller for less.

Do you have a bigger size. That feels easy to say.

It is. And you can swap the last word. Do you have another color?

Do you have another color. Same start, new ending.

Yes. Do you have a bigger size. Do you have another color.

One little question, and it does so much work.

And notice the word size ends in a soft s sound. Sizes.

You mean when there's more than one? Sizes, with an s?

Exactly. One size, two sizes. One color, two colors.

Shirts, jackets, shoes. Those s sounds are everywhere in a shop.

They are. Small sounds, but they matter.

Okay. So next time I check the size and the color first.

Right. And when it fits and you like the price?

Hmm. This is where I always freeze.

Here it is. Three little words. I'll take it.

I'll take it. That means I've decided to buy it.

Exactly. No long speech. You just say, I'll take it.

I'll take it. So short. So confident.

And one more useful thing. Sometimes a sign says on sale.

On sale. In Korea we borrow that word for a discount, right?

Right. In English, on sale means there's a discount. It's cheaper.

Good to know. On sale. I'll watch for that word.

Let's put it all together. Pretend I'm the seller.

Okay. How much is this?

It's forty dollars. But today it's on sale.

Do you have a bigger size?

Yes, here you go. Try it on.

It fits. Great. I'll take it.

See? You just shopped. Start to finish, in English.

That was smooth. I didn't freeze once.

Because you had the words ready. Price, size, decide.

Let me say the three phrases one more time.

Go ahead. Walk me through it.

First, I hold it up. How much is this?

Then you check the fit or the color.

Do you have a bigger size? Or, do you have another color?

And when you're happy?

I'll take it. Three words, and I'm done.

And here's the funny part. Now I want to go shopping too.

Wait. You're teaching me, and now you want to try?

I do. Watching you makes it feel possible.

So here's a small challenge for everyone at home.

Pick one thing near you. A cup, a book, a pen.

Hold it up and ask out loud. How much is this?

Then finish the sale. Say, I'll take it.

Tell us in the comments. What would you buy today?

And Leo, that jacket really does look good on you.

Tight shoulders and all. Next time, I'll try it on first.

We'll see you next time.

Keep going. You're doing great.

Bye-bye.