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How to Say ‘Yes, what is it?’ in Japanese

はい、何でしょうか。

hai nan deshou ka

[hai nan deshou kah]

💬 Usage Tip: でしょうか (deshō ka) is a softer, more polite version of ですか. 何ですか (nan desu ka) asks the same thing but sounds blunter.

Phrase Breakdown

はい、何

hai nan

yes, what

はい means yes. 何 is read 'nan' here because it comes before で.

Example

はい、何ですか。

Yes, what is it?

Words in this phrase

はい

hai

[hai]

yes

A basic affirmative response meaning yes.

Example

はい、来週の土曜日です。

Yes, it's next Saturday.

何

nan

[nan]

what

何 means what; in 何時 it helps ask 'what time'.

Example

何時に始まりますか。

What time does it start?

でしょうか。

deshou ka

might it be? (polite question)

でしょうか is a very polite question ending. Stretch the 'shō'.

Example

大丈夫でしょうか。

Would it be all right?

Words in this phrase

でしょう

deshou

[deshou]

would it be; is it

A polite expression used to soften a question or confirmation.

Example

何名様でしょうか。

How many guests will there be?

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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