PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent

How to Say ‘(question ending) / is it?’ in Japanese

ですか

desu ka

[dess kah]

💬 Usage Tip: Polite question ending. Add it after a noun/adjective: [駅ですか。] “Is it the station?”

🇯🇵 In Japan: Using [ですか] helps you sound courteous to strangers (and you’ll get nicer help!).

Phrase Breakdown

です

desu

[dess]

is/are (polite)

Polite copula used to end statements politely. Often used in questions with か.

Example

ここから地下鉄の駅は近いです。

From here, the subway station is close.

ka

[kah]

question particle

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question (polite).

Example

地下鉄の駅はどこですか。

Where is the subway station?

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.

Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer

I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager