Polite ways to say can you repeat the price in Spanish

Introduction

Knowing polite ways to ask someone to repeat the price in Spanish is a practical skill for travelers and learners. This article explains friendly phrases, pronunciation tips, context-appropriate language, and useful follow-up questions to make shopping and bargaining smoother.

Why polite wording matters

Being polite wins respect and often better service. In stores, markets, and restaurants, using courteous Spanish phrases helps avoid confusion and shows cultural awareness. Polite requests are especially useful when you did not hear the amount clearly, when the seller speaks quickly, or when background noise makes understanding difficult.

Key polite phrases to ask for a price repeat

Below are common, polite ways to ask someone to repeat the price. The first appearance of each key Spanish term is bold. Subsequent uses are in italics.

Simple and polite

¿Puede repetir el precio?
This is direct, polite, and appropriate in most situations. Use a friendly tone. If you want to be even more courteous, add por favor at the end.

¿Puede repetir el precio, por favor?
This is slightly more formal and very common in stores and restaurants. Shortening to ¿Puede repetirlo, por favor? is also natural when the context already mentions the price.

Less formal, friendly

¿Me puede decir otra vez cuánto cuesta?
This phrase is warm and slightly more conversational. It literally asks if the person can tell you again how much it costs. Ideal for markets and casual shops.

¿Me puede decir otra vez cuánto cuesta, por favor?
Adding , por favor keeps it polite while sounding friendly. Use this with vendors you’re bargaining with or when the environment is noisy.

Polite and concise

Disculpe, ¿cuánto es?
Short and polite; literally means excuse me, how much is it. Good for quick clarifications in busy places.

Perdón, ¿cuánto es?
A slightly more informal alternative that works well in markets and casual contexts. Both Disculpe and Perdón get attention politely.

Confirming a heard price

¿Perdón, dijo [amount]?
Use this to confirm a specific price you think you heard. Replace [amount] with the number in Spanish. For example, ¿Perdón, dijo veinte euros?

¿Disculpe, fue [amount]?
Another confirmation form. It is useful when reconfirming during bargaining or after the seller quoted a price quickly.

Numbers and currency: useful vocabulary

Understanding numbers and currency words helps when repeating the price. Here are essential terms.

Euro and dólar are the most common currency words you will hear. After their first appearance, use euro and dólar.

Precio means price; after this first use, refer to it as precio. Other useful words include cuesta (it costs) and vale (it’s worth/it costs). Use cuesta and vale subsequently.

Numbers: learn 1–20, tens, and common hundreds. For example: veinte, treinta, cincuenta. After the first use, write them as veinte, treinta, cincuenta. Practice hearing numbers so you can repeat or confirm what you heard.

Politeness levels and when to use them

Choose phrasing based on formality and your relationship with the speaker.

Formal settings: use ¿Puede repetir el precio, por favor? or Disculpe, ¿cuánto es? These are suitable for department stores, pharmacies, and when speaking to staff in uniforms.

Casual settings: markets, small shops, or street vendors respond well to ¿Me puede decir otra vez cuánto cuesta? or Perdón, ¿cuánto es? The tone can be more relaxed, but still polite.

Friends or acquaintances: if you know the person, you can use more familiar structures like ¿Cuánto dijiste? or ¿Cómo dijiste que era? These are less formal and should be used only with people you know well.

Examples and short dialogues

Here are practical mini-dialogues that show how to ask politely and respond.

Vendor: Son treinta euros.
You: Disculpe, ¿puede repetir el precio?
Vendor: Treinta euros.

Shop assistant: El total es cuarenta y cinco.
You: Perdón, ¿cuánto es?
Shop assistant: Cuarenta y cinco euros.

Market stall:
Vendor: Cinco la unidad.
You: ¿Perdón, dijo cinco?
Vendor: Sí, cinco cada uno.

Pronunciation and listening tips

Accurate listening helps when prices are spoken quickly. Typical rapid speech can blend digits together, so focus on the last word, which is often the currency or decimal marker.

Listen for these clues:
– The verb cuesta or vale before the number.
– The currency word at the end, such as euro or dólar.
– Any decimal marker: con for cents as in diez con cincuenta meaning 10.50.

Ask the speaker to repeat slowly by saying ¿Puede repetir más despacio, por favor? This is polite and helps you catch digits clearly.

How to ask for the price in different scenarios

Shopping in a supermarket: use concise phrases like Disculpe, ¿cuánto es? or ¿Puede repetir el precio? when noise or packaging makes hearing difficult.

At a market stall: vendors might be informal. ¿Me puede decir otra vez cuánto cuesta? is friendly and invites clarification without sounding stiff.

In a restaurant: for menu items, say Disculpe, ¿cuánto cuesta esto? If asking about the bill, use Perdón, ¿cuánto es la cuenta?

When bargaining: confirming numbers is crucial. Use ¿Perdón, dijo [amount]? to verify the seller’s offer before making a counteroffer.

Polite follow-up phrases

If you still need clarification after the seller repeats the price, these follow-ups help.

¿Puede escribirlo, por favor?
Ask this if numbers are hard to hear; seeing the price in writing often clears up confusion.

¿Es ese el precio final?
Use this to confirm whether the quoted figure includes taxes, service, or packaging.

¿Incluye impuestos?
Helpful in places where VAT or service charges may or may not be included.

¿Acepta tarjeta?
If the price is confirmed and you need to know payment methods, ask if they accept cards or only cash.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Rushing: speaking too quickly when repeating the price can cause more confusion. Slow down and enunciate digits clearly.

Using overly literal translations from English: phrases like can you repeat the price translate well, but word order and politeness markers differ. Stick to natural Spanish phrases covered here.

Not confirming currency: if you are in a tourist area with multiple currencies, confirm whether the price is in local currency by asking ¿es en euros? or ¿es en dólares?

Usage notes and cultural tips

In Spain and many Latin American countries, politeness is valued. Starting with Disculpe or adding por favor will almost always be appreciated. In very informal markets, vendors may answer casually, but you should still maintain polite phrasing until a familiar rapport is established.

Decimal points and commas differ by country; a spoken number like mil veinte means 1020, not 1.020 in some contexts. When in doubt, ask the seller to write the number down using ¿Puede escribirlo?

Practice tips for learners

Active listening: expose yourself to authentic Spanish audio from markets, vlogs, and store interactions. Pause and try to transcribe spoken prices.

Phrases to memorize: learn the key polite structures and numbers so you can use them automatically. Flashcards with audio help internalize pronunciation.

Role-play: practice short dialogues with friends or language partners. Simulate noisy environments and practice asking for price repetitions clearly.

Conclusion

Mastering polite ways to ask someone to repeat the price in Spanish makes shopping smoother and more pleasant. Use phrases like ¿Puede repetir el precio?, Disculpe, ¿cuánto es?, and ¿Me puede decir otra vez cuánto cuesta?, confirm currency when needed, and politely ask for written clarification if numbers are unclear.