How to Say ‘What are they?’ in Japanese
何ですか。
nan desu ka
[nan dess ka]
💬 Usage Tip: [何] is read (nan) before [です], so [何ですか] is (nan desu ka), not (nani desu ka). You'll hear this same change in [何時] (nan-ji) and [何人] (nan-nin).
Phrase Breakdown
何
nan
[nan]
what
An interrogative word used to ask for information.
会社の強みは何ですか。
What is the company's strength?
です
desu
[dess]
is; am; are
A polite copula used to make statements and questions.
こちらが私の質問です。
This is my question.
か
ka
[ka]
question marker
A sentence-ending particle that makes a polite question.
ご説明いただけますか。
Could you explain it to me?
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
Get Full LessonWhat 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