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The most common usage categories for the pattern nan___desu ka are questions that ask “What is ___?” or “What kind of ___?” about various topics. These typically include:
- Asking about objects or things (e.g., これは何ですか？ “What is this?”)
- Asking for explanations or definitions (e.g., “What does ___ mean?”)
- Asking about time and dates (e.g., 何時ですか？ “What time is it?”)
- Asking about quantities or amounts (e.g., “How many/much?”)
- Asking about categories or types (e.g., “What kind of ___?”)
- Asking for descriptions (e.g., “What color is ___?”)
This pattern is versatile and commonly used for basic information inquiries across many everyday contexts. Though there are many possible combinations, these categories summarize the most frequent and practical uses learners encounter.
Object Questions in Everyday Japanese
This table presents common Japanese questions and answers about objects, showing each item in Japanese with a word‑for‑word English gloss and romaji so learners can see how sentences are built and how meaning maps onto each word. It is designed for call‑and‑response practice, so learners can read the Japanese, check the literal meaning, and then use the これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?) pattern to swap in new nouns and create their own object questions and answers.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| これは何ですか？(This is what?) (Kore wa nan desu ka?) | それはペンです。(That is a pen.) (Sore wa pen desu.) |
| あれは何ですか？(That over there is what?) (Are wa nan desu ka?) | あれは山です。(That over there is a mountain.) (Are wa yama desu.) |
| これは誰の本ですか？(This is whose book?) (Kore wa dare no hon desu ka?) | それは先生の本です。(That is the teacher’s book.) (Sore wa sensei no hon desu.) |
| このかばんはあなたのですか？(This bag is yours?) (Kono kaban wa anata no desu ka?) | はい、私のです。(Yes, it is mine.) (Hai, watashi no desu.) |
| その時計はいくらですか？(That watch is how much?) (Sono tokei wa ikura desu ka?) | 三千円です。(It is 3000 yen.) (Sanzen en desu.) |
| これは日本の車ですか？(Is this a Japanese car?) (Kore wa Nihon no kuruma desu ka?) | はい、日本の車です。(Yes, it is a Japanese car.) (Hai, Nihon no kuruma desu.) |
| あの人は誰ですか？(That person over there is who?) (Ano hito wa dare desu ka?) | あの人は田中さんです。(That person is Mr. Tanaka.) (Ano hito wa Tanaka-san desu.) |
| この飲み物は何ですか？(This drink is what?) (Kono nomimono wa nan desu ka?) | コーヒーです。(It is coffee.) (Koohii desu.) |
| どの椅子があなたのですか？(Which chair is yours?) (Dono isu ga anata no desu ka?) | その青い椅子です。(That blue chair.) (Sono aoi isu desu.) |
| これは英語の辞書ですか？(Is this an English dictionary?) (Kore wa Eigo no jisho desu ka?) | いいえ、日本語の辞書です。(No, it is a Japanese dictionary.) (Iie, Nihongo no jisho desu.) |
Asking for Explanations and Definitions in Japanese
This table offers key Japanese question and answer patterns used to ask for explanations or definitions. Each entry includes the original Japanese phrase with literal English translation and romaji, facilitating clear understanding of sentence structure and meaning. The format supports active learning by allowing learners to practice requesting and giving explanations about words, phrases, and concepts in everyday conversation contexts. The included audio shortcode encourages correct pronunciation practice for effective communication skill-building.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| これはどういう意味ですか？(This is what kind of meaning?) (Kore wa dou iu imi desu ka?) | それは「友達」という意味です。(That is “friend” meaning.) (Sore wa “tomodachi” to iu imi desu.) |
| この言葉の意味は何ですか？(This word’s meaning is what?) (Kono kotoba no imi wa nan desu ka?) | その言葉は「ありがとう」という意味です。(That word is “thank you” meaning.) (Sono kotoba wa “arigatou” to iu imi desu.) |
| これを説明してもらえますか？(This to explain can receive?) (Kore o setsumei shite moraemasu ka?) | はい、説明します。(Yes, explain.) (Hai, setsumei shimasu.) |
| 「勉強」とはどういう意味ですか？(“Study” is what kind of meaning?) (“Benkyou” to wa dou iu imi desu ka?) | 「勉強」とは「学ぶこと」という意味です。(“Study” is “to learn thing” meaning.) (“Benkyou” to wa “manabu koto” to iu imi desu.) |
| それは何を意味していますか？(That what meaning is doing?) (Sore wa nani o imi shite imasu ka?) | それは「愛」を意味しています。(That “love” meaning is doing.) (Sore wa “ai” o imi shite imasu.) |
| この言葉の説明をしてください。(This word’s explanation please do.) (Kono kotoba no setsumei o shite kudasai.) | もちろんです。この言葉は～を意味します。(Of course. This word ～ meaning does.) (Mochiron desu. Kono kotoba wa ~ o imi shimasu.) |
| これはどういうことですか？(This is what kind of thing?) (Kore wa dou iu koto desu ka?) | それは～という意味です。(That is ～ meaning.) (Sore wa ~ to iu imi desu.) |
| 「文化」とは何ですか？(“Culture” is what?) (“Bunka” to wa nan desu ka?) | 「文化」とは社会の生活様式のことです。(“Culture” is society’s lifestyle’s thing.) (“Bunka” to wa shakai no seikatsu youshiki no koto desu.) |
| この漢字の意味を教えてください。(This kanji’s meaning please teach.) (Kono kanji no imi o oshiete kudasai.) | これは「水」という意味の漢字です。(This is “water” meaning kanji.) (Kore wa “mizu” to iu imi no kanji desu.) |
| それは何として説明できますか？(That what as explain can?) (Sore wa nani to shite setsumei dekimasu ka?) | それは愛情として説明できます。(That is affection as explain can.) (Sore wa aijou to shite setsumei dekimasu.) |
Time and Date Questions in Japanese with Answers
This table presents common questions using the pattern 何時ですか？ (nan ji desu ka?) and related time expressions in Japanese, along with simple answers. Each question and answer includes a word-for-word English translation and romaji transcription. This format helps learners understand the structure of time- and date-related questions and practice pronunciation, aided by embedded voice reading shortcodes. The table covers asking about current time, day, month, start/end times, and durations, demonstrating practical conversational use.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 今何時ですか？ (Now what time is? ) (Ima nan ji desu ka?) | 午後4時です。 (Afternoon 4 o’clock is.) (Gogo yo-ji desu.) |
| 何時ですか？ (What time is?) (Nan ji desu ka?) | 4時です。 (4 o’clock is.) (Yo-ji desu.) |
| 何曜日ですか？ (What day-of-week is?) (Nan youbi desu ka?) | 木曜日です。 (Thursday is.) (Mokuyoubi desu.) |
| 何月ですか？ (What month is?) (Nan gatsu desu ka?) | 11月です。 (November is.) (Juu-ichi-gatsu desu) |
| 何日ですか？ (What day/date is?) (Nan nichi desu ka?) | 27日です。 (27th-day is.) (Nijuu nana-nichi desu.) |
| 何時に始まりますか？ (What time-at starts?) (Nan ji ni hajimarimasu ka?) | 9時に始まります。 (9 o’clock-at starts.) (Ku-ji ni hajimarimasu.) |
| 何時に終わりますか？ (What time-at ends?) (Nan ji ni owarimasu ka?) | 5時に終わります。 (5 o’clock-at ends.) (Go-ji ni owarimasu.) |
| 何時に電話しますか？ (What time-at call do?) (Nan ji ni denwa shimasu ka?) | 7時に電話します。 (7 o’clock-at call do.) (Shichi-ji ni denwa shimasu.) |
| 何時に行きますか？ (What time-at go?) (Nan ji ni ikimasu ka?) | 8時に行きます。 (8 o’clock-at go.) (Hachi-ji ni ikimasu.) |
| 何時間かかりますか？ (What hours takes?) (Nan jikan kakarimasu ka?) | 2時間かかります。 (2 hours takes.) (Ni-jikan kakarimasu.) |
Common Japanese Questions About Quantities or Amounts
The following table lists 10 typical question-and-answer pairs in Japanese related to “how many” or “how much.” Each entry includes a literal English translation, romaji pronunciation, and an audio shortcode for reading practice.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| いくつありますか？(how many are there?) (ikutsu arimasu ka?) | ３つあります。(there are three.) (mittsu arimasu.) |
| いくらですか？(how much is it?) (ikura desu ka?) | ５００円です。(it is 500 yen.) (gohyaku en desu.) |
| 何人ですか？(how many people?) (nan-nin desu ka?) | ２人です。(two people.) (futari desu.) |
| どのくらいかかりますか？(how long does it take?) (dono kurai kakarimasu ka?) | ３０分かかります。(it takes 30 minutes.) (sanjuppun kakarimasu.) |
| どれくらいの量がいりますか？(how much quantity do you need?) (dore kurai no ryō ga irimasu ka?) | 少しだけいります。(I need just a little.) (sukoshi dake irimasu.) |
| どのくらい時間がありますか？(how much time do you have?) (dono kurai jikan ga arimasu ka?) | １時間あります。(I have one hour.) (ichijikan arimasu.) |
| どのくらい住んでいますか？(how long have you lived?) (dono kurai sundeimasu ka?) | ３年住んでいます。(I have lived for three years.) (san-nen sundeimasu.) |
| 何杯飲みましたか？(how many cups did you drink?) (nan-bai nomimashita ka?) | ２杯飲みました。(I drank two cups.) (nihai nomimashita.) |
| 何個買いましたか？(how many items did you buy?) (nan-ko kaimashita ka?) | ５個買いました。(I bought five.) (go-ko kaimashita.) |
| どれくらい食べましたか？(how much did you eat?) (dore kurai tabemashita ka?) | たくさん食べました。(I ate a lot.) (takusan tabemashita.) |
Common Japanese Questions About Categories or Types
These examples use the common question words どんな (donna) and どのような (dono youna) to ask about types or categories, matching natural conversational usage in Japanese.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| どんな種類がありますか？(What kind of types are there?) (donna shurui ga arimasu ka?) | いろいろな種類があります。(There are various kinds.) (iroiro na shurui ga arimasu.) |
| どのような本が好きですか？(What kind of books do you like?) (dono youna hon ga suki desu ka?) | ミステリー小説が好きです。(I like mystery novels.) (misuterī shōsetsu ga suki desu.) |
| どんな音楽を聞きますか？(What kind of music do you listen to?) (donna ongaku o kikimasu ka?) | ポップ音楽を聞きます。(I listen to pop music.) (poppu ongaku o kikimasu.) |
| どのタイプの車がいいですか？(What type of car is good?) (dono taipu no kuruma ga ii desu ka?) | コンパクトカーがいいです。(Compact cars are good.) (konpakuto kā ga ii desu.) |
| どんな飲み物がありますか？(What kinds of drinks are there?) (donna nomimono ga arimasu ka?) | お茶とコーヒーがあります。(There is tea and coffee.) (ocha to kōhī ga arimasu.) |
| どのようなスポーツが好きですか？(What kinds of sports do you like?) (dono youna supōtsu ga suki desu ka?) | サッカーが好きです。(I like soccer.) (sakkā ga suki desu.) |
| どんな映画を見ますか？(What kind of movies do you watch?) (donna eiga o mimasu ka?) | アクション映画を見ます。(I watch action movies.) (akushon eiga o mimasu.) |
| どの種類の果物が好きですか？(What types of fruits do you like?) (dono shurui no kudamono ga suki desu ka?) | りんごが好きです。(I like apples.) (ringo ga suki desu.) |
| どんな天気が好きですか？(What kind of weather do you like?) (donna tenki ga suki desu ka?) | 晴れた天気が好きです。(I like sunny weather.) (hareta tenki ga suki desu.) |
| どのような動物が好きですか？(What kinds of animals do you like?) (dono youna dōbutsu ga suki desu ka?) | 犬が好きです。(I like dogs.) (inu ga suki desu.) |
Common Japanese Questions About Descriptions
Here is a table of common Japanese questions and answers focused on asking for descriptions, such as “What color is ___?” or other descriptive inquiries. This includes a literal English translation, romaji pronunciation, and audio for listening practice. This table highlights common ways to ask for descriptions in Japanese with responses illustrating colors, tastes, feelings, and general qualities, using natural expressions to describe objects, places, and people.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| これは何色ですか？(What color is this?) (Kore wa nani iro desu ka?) | 赤色です。(It is red.) (Aka iro desu.) |
| その服はどんな感じですか？(What kind of style is that clothing?) (Sono fuku wa donna kanji desu ka?) | カジュアルな感じです。(It is a casual style.) (Kajuaru na kanji desu.) |
| その建物はどうですか？(How is that building?) (Sono tatemono wa dō desu ka?) | 新しくてきれいです。(It is new and clean.) (Atarashikute kirei desu.) |
| この映画はどんなものですか？(What kind of movie is this?) (Kono eiga wa donna mono desu ka?) | 面白くて感動的です。(It is interesting and moving.) (Omoshiroku te kandōteki desu.) |
| それはどんな味がしますか？(What kind of taste does that have?) (Sore wa donna aji ga shimasu ka?) | 甘くて美味しいです。(It is sweet and delicious.) (Amakute oishii desu.) |
| あなたの部屋はどうですか？(How is your room?) (Anata no heya wa dō desu ka?) | 明るくて広いです。(It is bright and spacious.) (Akarukute hiroi desu.) |
| その車の色は何ですか？(What is the color of that car?) (Sono kuruma no iro wa nan desu ka?) | 青色です。(It is blue.) (Ao iro desu.) |
| このケーキはどんな味ですか？(What kind of taste does this cake have?) (Kono kēki wa donna aji desu ka?) | チョコレート味です。(It is chocolate flavor.) (Chokorēto aji desu.) |
| その犬はどんな性格ですか？(What kind of personality does that dog have?) (Sono inu wa donna seikaku desu ka?) | とても優しいです。(It is very kind.) (Totemo yasashii desu.) |
| この場所はどういうところですか？(What kind of place is this?) (Kono basho wa dō iu tokoro desu ka?) | 静かで落ち着いた場所です。(It is a quiet and calm place.) (Shizuka de ochitsuita basho desu.) |