Japanese
Korean
Basic questions
❃ Basic questions
-
トイレはどこですか。
[ Toire wa doko desu ka. ] -
Where is the restroom?
-
これは何ですか。
[ Kore wa nan desu ka. ] -
What is this?
-
それはいくらですか。
[ Sore wa ikura desu ka. ] -
How much is that?
-
いつ出発しますか。
[ Itsu shuppatsu shimasu ka. ] -
When do we depart?
-
誰ですか。
[ Dare desu ka. ] -
Who is it?
-
どうしてですか。
[ Doushite desu ka. ] -
Why?
-
どうやって行きますか。
[ Douyatte ikimasu ka. ] -
How do I get there?
-
どちらがいいですか。
[ Dochira ga ii desu ka. ] -
Which one is better? (between two)
-
どれがおすすめですか。
[ Dore ga osusume desu ka. ] -
Which one do you recommend? (among several)
-
何時まで開いていますか。
[ Nanji made aite imasu ka. ] -
Until what time is it open?
-
カードは使えますか。
[ Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka. ] -
Can I use a credit card?
-
どこで買えますか。
[ Doko de kaemasu ka. ] -
Where can I buy it?
-
どういう意味ですか。
[ Dou iu imi desu ka. ] -
What does it mean?
-
いくつありますか。
[ Ikutsu arimasu ka. ] -
How many are there?
-
どうすればいいですか。
[ Dou sureba ii desu ka. ] -
What should I do?
In Japanese, the grammatical structure for asking a question is remarkably straightforward, but the cultural nuance behind how you ask it requires a deeper understanding of social dynamics. To form a question, you simply take a standard polite sentence and add the spoken question mark particle "ka" (か) at the very end, without altering the word order. For example, the statement becomes a question just by adding this small syllable. However, the cultural complexity lies in what the Japanese choose not to say. The Japanese language is heavily reliant on context. Therefore, direct pronouns like "you", which is "Anata" (あなた), are almost always omitted. Using "Anata" with someone you don't know well can sound confrontational, condescending, or overly intimate. Instead of asking "Where are you going?", a Japanese person will simply ask "Where going?" or address the person by their name or job title. When seeking basic information—such as "Who" (Dare - 誰), "What" (Nan/Nani - 何), "Where" (Doko - どこ), "When" (Itsu - いつ), and "How" (Dou - どう)—travelers can easily navigate daily life. For instance, the phrase "Toire wa doko desu ka" (トイレはどこですか - Where is the toilet?) is an absolute lifesaver. Yet, even when asking these simple questions, the tone must remain considerate. In Japan, firing off a barrage of direct questions can feel like a police interrogation and disrupt social harmony. Thus, questions are almost always softened with introductory phrases like "Sumimasen" (すみません - Excuse me), acting as a verbal cushion before requesting information. This reflects the perpetual Japanese awareness of not imposing on the listener's personal space, time, or mental energy.
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