❓🔷

How to Say ‘What shape is this?’ in Japanese

これは何の形ですか。

kore wa nan no katachi desu ka

[koh-reh wa nan noh kah-TAH-chee dess ka]

💬 Usage Tip: 何の + noun asks "what kind of" thing. Swap in other nouns: 何の本ですか "What book is it?"

Phrase Breakdown

これは

kore wa

This (topic)

これ means 'this.' The particle は marks the topic and is pronounced 'wa,' so say 'kore wa.'

Example

これは本です。

This is a book.

Words in this phrase

これ

kore

[koh-reh]

this

Refers to something near the speaker. In a massage, it can point to a pressure level or body area.

Example

これで大丈夫です。

This is fine.

は

[wa]

topic marker

Marks the proposed time as the topic; pronounced wa.

Example

四時半は大丈夫です。

4:30 is okay.

何の形ですか。

nan no katachi desu ka

What shape is it?

何の (nan no) means 'what kind of,' and 形 (katachi) means 'shape.' ですか turns it into a polite question.

Example

何の色ですか。

What color is it?

Words in this phrase

何

nan

[nan]

what; which

Used in questions to ask for specific information.

Example

何時まで大丈夫ですか。

Until what time is okay?

の

[noh]

of; linking particle

Connects 'usual' to 'road.'

Example

いつもの道を使いたいです。

I'd like to use the usual road.

形

katachi

[kah-TAH-chee]

shape; form

Noun for the shape or outline of something (katachi).

Example

雲の形がおもしろいです。

The cloud's shape is interesting.

です

desu

[dess]

is; am; are

A polite copula often used at the end of sentences.

Example

これはペンです。

This is a pen.

か

[ka]

question marker

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

Example

いいですか。

Is it okay?

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