How to Say ‘What is the reason?’ in Japanese
理由は何ですか。
riyuu wa nan desu ka
[ree-YOO wah nan dess ka]
💬 Usage Tip: 何ですか is said (nan desu ka). Before です, 何 is read (nan), not (nani).
Phrase Breakdown
理由は
riyuu wa
as for the reason
理由 (riyuu) means 'reason'; hold the final 'yū' long. は is pronounced 'wa'.
理由は簡単です。
The reason is simple.
Words in this phrase
理由
riyuu
[ree-YOO]
reason
The cause or reason for something.
理由を教えてください。
Please tell me the reason.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker; as for
Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me your time today.
何ですか。
nan desu ka
what is it?
何 (nan) means 'what'. ですか (desu ka) makes it a polite question. Say it 'nan desu ka'.
これは何ですか。
What is this?
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?
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
[ka]
question particle
Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.
行くか？
Shall we go?
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