How to Say ‘How about you?’ in Japanese
あなたは？
anata wa
[ah-nah-tah wah]
💬 Usage Tip: [あなたは？] = “How about you?” A smoother option: [そっちは？] or using their name: [田中さんは？]
🇯🇵 In Japan: People often avoid direct “you,” so switching to name + [は？] sounds more natural.
Phrase Breakdown
あなた
anata
[ah-nah-tah]
you
あなた means “you.” In the pattern あなたは？ it becomes “How about you?” Often used in casual conversation, but using a name is usually more natural/polite.
わたしはテニスクラブ。あなたは？
I’m in the tennis club. How about you?
は？
wa
topic marker + question (“How about…?”)
は marks the topic, and with a rising intonation/？ it becomes “What about (you)?” Often used to return a question politely after answering.
わたしはみか。あなたは？
I’m Mika. And you?
Words in this phrase
は
wa
[wah]
(topic marker) ; “as for …”
は marks the topic, and with a question mark it implies “And you?” / “What about you?” after sharing your info.
わたしはきょうがはじめて。あなたは？
Today is my first time. How about you?
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