How to Say ‘How should I hit this putt?’ in Japanese
このパット、どう打てばいいですか。
kono patto dou ute ba ii desu ka
[koh-noh PAHT-toh doh OO-teh bah ee dess kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Asking a more experienced partner to read your line is welcome in friendly Japanese golf, and it flatters their skill. In serious competition, though, advice between players isn't allowed.
Phrase Breakdown
このパット、
kono patto
this putt
この means 'this'. パット is 'putt' in golf. The small ッ makes a short pause: pa-(pause)-to.
このパットは難しいですね。
This putt is difficult, isn't it?
Words in this phrase
この
kono
[koh-noh]
this (modifying a noun)
A demonstrative that must come before a noun (この + noun). Used for something near the speaker or just mentioned.
この本は面白いです。
This book is interesting.
パット
patto
[PAHT-toh]
putt
A gentle stroke on the green to roll the ball toward the hole.
長いパットが残りました。
A long putt was left.
どう打てばいいですか。
dou ute ba ii desu ka
how should I hit it?
どう means 'how', 打てば is 'if I hit', and いいですか is 'is it good?' Together they ask for advice.
このボール、どう打てばいいですか。
How should I hit this ball?
Words in this phrase
どう
dou
[doh]
how
Used to ask for an opinion or suggestion, like 'how about...?'
7時はどうですか？
How about 7 o’clock?
打て
ute
[OO-teh]
hit (conditional stem)
Form of 打つ 'to hit' used before ば to make 'if I hit'.
強く打てば入ります。
If you hit it hard, it will go in.
ば
ba
[bah]
if
Completes the conditional form in できれば, meaning if possible.
できれば庭が見える席をお願いします。
If possible, please give us a seat with a garden view.
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay
Means “okay/allowed” in the permission expression.
ここに座ってもいい ですか。
May I sit here?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
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.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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