How to Say ‘What will you use the photos for?’ in Japanese
写真は何に使いますか。
shashin wa nan ni tsukai masu ka
[shah-sheen wah nan nee tsoo-kah-ee mahs kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Shop owners often ask this because photos posted online or used commercially can be a concern. A clear, modest answer like "for a school exhibition" helps put them at ease.
Phrase Breakdown
写真は
shashin wa
as for the photos
は marks the topic and is pronounced 'wa' here, not 'ha'.
写真はきれいです。
The photos are beautiful.
Words in this phrase
写真
shashin
[shah-sheen]
photograph; photo
A picture taken by camera; often used when asking about museum photography.
写真を見せてください。
Please show me the photo.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker
は marks the topic of the sentence.
空席はありますか。
Are there any seats available?
何に使いますか。
nan ni tsukai masu ka
what will you use them for?
何に (nani ni) means 'for what'. 使います (tsukaimasu) means 'use'. Say 'tsu' with the tongue behind the teeth.
このお金は何に使いますか。
What will you use this money for?
Words in this phrase
何
nan
[nan]
what
何 means what; in 何時 it helps ask 'what time'.
何時に始まりますか。
What time does it start?
に
ni
[nee]
for; to (purpose)
Particle marking the purpose or target of an action.
このペンは何に使いますか。
What is this pen used for?
使い
tsukai
[tsoo-kah-ee]
use
The verb stem meaning to use something in cooking or prep.
この野菜を使い、スープを作ります。
We use these vegetables and make soup.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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