How to Say ‘What is this?’ in Japanese
これは何ですか。
kore wa nan desu ka
[koh-reh wa nan dess ka]
💬 Usage Tip: Here は is said (wa), not (ha). The か at the end turns a statement into a question, much like a spoken question mark.
Phrase Breakdown
これ
kore
[koh-reh]
this; this one
A demonstrative for something close to you; used when pointing at an item/menu/photo.
これ、ください。
This one, please.
は
wa
[wa]
topic marker
Marks the proposed time as the topic; pronounced wa.
四時半は大丈夫です。
4:30 is okay.
何
nan
[nan]
what
An interrogative word used to ask questions.
今は何時ですか？
What time is it now?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
A particle used at the end of a sentence to form a question.
それは大丈夫ですか？
Is that okay?
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