🤷❓🙋

How to Say ‘Please ask about things you don't understand.’ in Japanese

わからないことは聞いてくださいね。

wakara nai koto wa kii te kudasai ne

[wah-KAH-rah nai koto wah KEE-ee te kudasai neh]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Senior colleagues often say this to newcomers. Taking them up on it is expected and not seen as a burden.

Phrase Breakdown

わからないことは

wakara nai koto wa

as for things you don't understand

The topic marker は (pronounced 'wa') makes 'things you don't understand' the topic of the sentence.

Example

わからないことは先生に聞きます。

I ask the teacher about things I don't understand.

Words in this phrase

わから

wakara

[wah-KAH-rah]

understand (negative stem)

Form of わかる used before ない to make 'not understand'.

Example

意味がわからない。

I don't understand the meaning.

ない

nai

[nai]

not

Indicates negation or absence.

Example

問題はない。

There is no problem.

こと

koto

[koto]

thing

Refers to an object or matter.

Example

面白いことがあった。

Something interesting happened.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

聞いてくださいね。

kii te kudasai ne

please ask, okay?

A friendly, polite request. Pronounce it 'kiite kudasai ne,' with a soft rise on ね.

Example

いつでも聞いてくださいね。

Please ask anytime, okay?

Words in this phrase

聞い

kii

[KEE-ee]

ask

Te-form stem of 聞く, which also means to ask a question.

Example

先生に聞いてみます。

I'll ask the teacher.

て

[te]

and; please do

The て-form ending that connects a verb to the next part, often for requests.

Example

イベントの後で少し話してください。

Please talk with me a little after the event.

ください

kudasai

[kudasai]

please

A polite request word used after the て-form of a verb.

Example

チケットを見せてください。

Please show me the ticket.

ね

[neh]

(friendly softener)

Sentence-ending particle adding warmth or seeking agreement; in farewells it sounds friendly.

Example

じゃあ、またね。

Well, see you.

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