How to Say ‘What are your hobbies, Tanaka-san?’ in Japanese
田中さんの趣味は何ですか。
tanaka san no shumi wa nan desu ka
[tah-nah-kah sahn no shoo-mee wah nan dess kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese speakers avoid あなた "you" and use the person's name plus さん instead. Using it here is the polite way to ask someone directly.
Phrase Breakdown
田中さんの趣味は
tanaka san no shumi wa
As for Mr./Ms. Tanaka's hobby
の shows possession ('Tanaka's'). 趣味 (shumi) means hobby. は (pronounced 'wa') marks the topic.
田中さんの趣味は読書です。
Mr. Tanaka's hobby is reading.
Words in this phrase
田中
tanaka
[tah-nah-kah]
Tanaka (name)
Part of the school name being stated clearly on the phone.
田中小学校です。
This is Tanaka Elementary School.
さん
san
[sahn]
Mr./Ms.; polite name suffix
Polite suffix added to names. Common and safe on first dates: 田中さん. Using さん shows respect and friendliness.
Smithさん、今日は会えて嬉しいです。
Mr./Ms. Smith, I’m happy to be able to meet you today.
の
no
[no]
's; of
A particle that shows possession or connection between nouns.
知り合いの会社に興味があります。
I am interested in an acquaintance's company.
趣味
shumi
[shoo-mee]
hobby; pastime; interests
Noun meaning “hobby/interest.” Very common first-date topic: 趣味は何ですか。
趣味は映画です。
My hobby is movies.
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?
何ですか。
nan desu ka
what is it?
Polite question 'what is it?'. 何 is read 'nan' here.
名前は何ですか。
What is your name?
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
[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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