How to Say ‘What does that mean?’ in Japanese
どういうこと？
dou iu koto
[doh ee-oo koh-toh]
💬 Usage Tip: [どういうこと？] is like “What do you mean?” or “What’s that supposed to mean?” It asks for explanation of an idea or situation.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is very common in spoken Japanese. Tone matters: it can sound curious, confused, or even suspicious!
Phrase Breakdown
どう
dou
[doh]
what kind of; what do you mean by
Used to ask for an explanation or clarification.
どう考えるべきですか。
How should we think about it?
いう
iu
[ee-oo]
to say; such that one says
From 言う. In どういうこと, it helps mean 'what do you mean'.
母がいうことは正しいです。
What my mother says is correct.
こと
koto
[koh-toh]
thing; matter; situation
A general noun for a thing, matter, event, or idea.
大切なことを話します。
I will talk about an important matter.
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