How to Say ‘What shall we talk about?’ in Japanese
何の話をしますか。
nan no hanashi o shi masu ka
[nan noh ha-na-shee oh shee mahs kah]
💬 Usage Tip: 話をする means "to talk" or "have a talk". Swap in 何の "what kind of" before any noun: 何の本 "what book".
Phrase Breakdown
何の話を
nan no hanashi o
about what (topic)
Nan no (what kind of) + hanashi (talk) + o (object marker). 何 is read 'nan' before の.
何の話を聞きましたか。
What story did you hear?
Words in this phrase
何
nan
[nan]
what
何 means what; in 何時 it helps ask 'what time'.
何時に始まりますか。
What time does it start?
の
no
[noh]
of; linking particle
の connects customer and handling, making the meaning 'customer handling' or 'dealing with customers.'
会社の仕事です。
It is company work.
話
hanashi
[ha-na-shee]
talk; story
話 means talk, speech, or story depending on context.
先生の話をよく聞いて。
Listen carefully to the teacher's talk.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
しますか。
shi masu ka
will (we) do?
Polite form of suru (do) + ka (question). Raise your tone slightly at the end.
週末は何をしますか。
What will you do on the weekend?
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem)
Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.
注文をお願いし、ます。
I would like to place the order, please.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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