How to Say ‘Are you studying Japanese?’ in Japanese
日本語は勉強していますか。
nihon go wa benkyou shi te i masu ka
[nee-hon goh hah ben-kyoh shee teh ee mahss kah]
💬 Usage Tip: [日本語は] sets “Japanese” as the topic. [〜ていますか] is a polite present-progressive question.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Interviewers may ask this to gauge workplace communication—answer with duration + what you can handle (calls/emails/etc.).
Phrase Breakdown
日本語
nihon go
Japanese (language)
Literally “Japan + language.” Refers to the Japanese language.
日本語が少し分かります。
I understand a little Japanese.
Words in this phrase
日本
nihon
[nee-hon]
Japan
Means "Japan." Combined with 語 to make 日本語 (Japanese language). In interviews, Japan-related words are common when discussing language ability or experience.
日本で働くために日本語を勉強しています。
I am studying Japanese in order to work in Japan.
語
go
[goh]
language; word
Suffix meaning "language." 日本 + 語 → 日本語 (Japanese). You can also say 英語, 中国語, etc.
自己紹介で、日本語は勉強していますと伝えます。
In my self-introduction, I say that I am studying Japanese.
は
wa
[hah]
topic marker "as for"
Marks the topic. 日本語は… means "As for Japanese..." Often used to introduce a topic politely in interviews.
日本語は毎日勉強しています。
As for Japanese, I study every day.
勉強しています
benkyou shi te i masu
am studying; study (ongoing)
勉強する in the 〜ている form + polite ます, indicating an ongoing/habitual action.
毎日日本語を勉強しています。
I study Japanese every day.
Words in this phrase
勉強
benkyou
[ben-kyoh]
study; studying
Noun "study." With する, it becomes the verb "to study." In interview context, it can show motivation and effort.
日本語は勉強していますかと聞かれました。
I was asked, “Are you studying Japanese?”
し
shi
[shee]
do (verb stem)
Stem of する used in して. Forms 〜している/〜しています for ongoing actions.
面接では、日本語を勉強していますと答えます。
In the interview, I answer, “I am studying Japanese.”
て
te
[teh]
and; (te-form connector)
Te-form connector. Here it connects 勉強し + て + いる to express "am studying."
日本語を勉強して、会話力を上げたいです。
I study Japanese and want to improve my conversation skills.
い
i
[ee]
be (progressive marker)
From いる. 〜ています expresses ongoing action in a polite way—very common in interviews.
今も日本語を勉強しています。
Even now, I am studying Japanese.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending (present/future)
Polite form used for formal conversation. Interviews typically require ます-form speech.
日本語を勉強しています。
I am studying Japanese.
か
ka
[kah]
question particle
Turns a sentence into a question. In polite speech, か is standard for asking questions in interviews.
日本語は勉強していますか。
Are you studying Japanese?
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