Phrases You Won't Find in Textbooks · 09 of 11
How Locals Read Prices
Oss! Day 9. This one is GOLD. Japanese people don't read prices the way you learned.
Hook setup
You see 298円 at the convenience store. Textbook tells you to say にひゃくきゅうじゅうはちえん. Nobody says that. Locals say にきゅっぱ.
〜98円 → 〜きゅっぱ
98円 = きゅっぱ 198円 = ひゃくきゅっぱ. 298円 = にきゅっぱ. 398円 = さんきゅっぱ.
Real example
You're at the konbini. Cashier: 298円です。 You: あ、にきゅっぱね！はい！ The cashier WILL be impressed.
Why this happens
〜98 prices are everywhere because they look cheaper. So Japanese made a slang for it. Save this for your next trip.