How to Say ‘Is it?; are you? (polite question)’ in Japanese
ですか
desu ka
[desu ka]
💬 Usage Tip: か turns a polite statement into a question, so です becomes ですか. You'll see the same pattern in 大丈夫ですか and 必要ですか.
Phrase Breakdown
です
desu
[desu]
is; am; are
The polite copula used in formal speech.
それは大切です。
That is important.
か
ka
[ka]
question marker
A particle placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
本当ですかと聞き返しました。
I asked back, 'Really?'
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