How to Say ‘What should I say?’ in Japanese
なんて言えばいいですか。
nan te ie ba ii desu ka
[nahn teh i-e bah ee dess ka]
💬 Usage Tip: なんて here is a casual "what". Ending with ばいいですか asks "what should I...?" with other verbs too: どうすればいいですか "what should I do?".
Phrase Breakdown
なんて言えば
nan te ie ba
if I say what
'Nante' is a casual way of saying 'what' when quoting words. 'Ieba' means 'if I say'.
なんて言えばわかりますか。
What should I say so they understand?
Words in this phrase
なん
nan
[nahn]
what
なん means “what.” Used in questions, especially before です/ですか: なまえはなんですか (“What is your name?”).
なまえはなんですか。
What is your name?
て
te
[teh]
quoting particle (that; like)
Casual form of the quotation marker と, marking what is said.
なんて言ったの？
What did you say?
言え
ie
[i-e]
say
To express with words.
意見を言え。
Say your opinion.
ば
ba
[bah]
if
Conditional particle meaning if or when attached to verbs.
先に聞けば安心でした。
If I had asked first, I would have felt reassured.
いいですか。
ii desu ka
would be good?
After an '-eba' form, 'ii desu ka' means 'what should I do?' Raise your pitch slightly on 'ka'.
どうすればいいですか。
What should I do?
Words in this phrase
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay
Used to ask if something is acceptable or suitable.
この場所でいいですか。
Is this place okay?
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
Added at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.
お茶を飲みますか？
Do you drink tea?
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