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How to Say ‘How is the pressure?’ in Japanese

力加減はいかがですか。

chikara kagen wa ikaga desu ka

[chee-KAH-rah kah-GEN wah ee-kah-gah dess kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Therapists in Japan usually ask this once, early on, and then assume silence means you're fine. If it's too strong or too weak, say so at that moment. Don't put up with it to be polite.

Phrase Breakdown

力加減は

chikara kagen wa

the pressure (strength)

力加減 (chikara kagen) means 'the amount of strength or pressure'. は (wa) marks the topic. Say it as 'chi-ka-ra-ka-gen wa'.

Example

力加減は大切です。

The amount of pressure is important.

Words in this phrase

力

chikara

[chee-KAH-rah]

strength; force

Noun for physical strength or power.

Example

彼は力が強いです。

He is strong.

加減

kagen

[kah-GEN]

degree; adjustment

Noun meaning the amount or level of something; with 力 it means pressure level.

Example

火の加減を見てください。

Please check the heat level.

は

wa

[wah]

topic marker; as for

Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

いかがですか。

ikaga desu ka

how is it?

This is a polite question asking about someone's opinion or condition. Raise your voice slightly at the end.

Example

コーヒーはいかがですか。

Would you like some coffee?

Words in this phrase

いかが

ikaga

[ee-kah-gah]

How is it?

A polite way to ask someone's opinion.

Example

今日の天気はいかがですか?

How is the weather today?

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

か

ka

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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