How to Say ‘What kind of...?’ in Japanese
どんな〜ですか。
donna desu ka
[dohn-nah dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Pattern: [どんな] + noun + [ですか]. Example: [どんな料理ですか] = “What kind of food is it?”
🇯🇵 In Japan: This question sounds curious and polite, good for meeting new people or chatting at events.
Phrase Breakdown
どんな
donna
[dohn-nah]
what kind of; what sort of
どんな asks for the type/character of something. Common in conversations and interviews.
どんな映画ですか。
What kind of movie is it?
です
desu
[dess]
to be (polite); am/is/are (polite)
です keeps the question polite; often used with descriptions and identification.
どんな人ですか。
What kind of person is he/she?
か
ka
[kah]
question marker; ‘?’
か makes it a question; intonation rises slightly at the end.
どんな店ですか。
What kind of shop is it?
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager