How to Say ‘What festival is this?’ in Japanese
これは何のお祭りですか。
kore wa nan no o matsuri desu ka
[koh-reh wah nan noh oh mah-TSOO-ree dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: The は after これ is said (wa), not (ha).
Phrase Breakdown
これは
kore wa
this (topic)
これ means "this" (near the speaker). The particle は marks the topic and is pronounced "wa".
これは私の傘です。
This is my umbrella.
Words in this phrase
これ
kore
[koh-reh]
this
Refers to something close to the speaker.
これが私の家です。
This is my house.
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?
何のお祭りですか。
nan no o matsuri desu ka
what festival is it?
何の asks "what kind of". ですか makes it a polite question.
何の映画ですか。
What movie is it?
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?
の
no
[noh]
of
A linking particle connecting nouns, like 'of' or showing description.
前の方が見やすいです。
The front area is easier to see from.
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.
チケットを二枚お願いします。
Two tickets, please.
祭り
matsuri
[mah-TSOO-ree]
festival
A festival, often a Shinto event held by a shrine or community.
夏祭りに行きます。
I'm going to the summer festival.
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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