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How to Say ‘Just to be safe, may I ask the name of that medicine?’ in Japanese

念のため、お薬の名前を伺ってもよろしいですか。

nen no tame o kusuri no namae o ukagatsu te mo yoroshii desu ka

[nen noh TAH-meh o koo-SOO-ree noh nah-mah-eh wo oo-KAHG teh mo yo-ro-SHEE dess kah]

Phrase Breakdown

念のため、

nen no tame

just to be sure,

An opening phrase that softens the question. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

念のため、確認します。

I'll check, just to be sure.

Words in this phrase

念

nen

[nen]

care; caution; thought

Feeling of attention or concern; in set phrases means 'just in case'.

Example

念を入れて確認します。

I'll check carefully.

の

[noh]

A linking particle connecting nouns, like 'of' or showing description.

Example

前の方が見やすいです。

The front area is easier to see from.

ため

tame

[TAH-meh]

sake; purpose

A noun meaning 'for the purpose of'; with に it means 'for that'.

Example

健康のために歩きます。

I walk for my health.

お薬の名前を

o kusuri no namae o

the name of the medicine (as object)

を (pronounced 'o') marks the name as the thing being asked about.

Example

お薬の名前を書いてください。

Please write the name of the medicine.

Words in this phrase

お

[o]

polite prefix

Prefix added for politeness.

Example

お名前は？

What is your name?

薬

kusuri

[koo-SOO-ree]

medicine; drug

General word for medicine or medication.

Example

毎日薬を飲みます。

I take medicine every day.

の

[noh]

A linking particle connecting nouns, like 'of' or showing description.

Example

前の方が見やすいです。

The front area is easier to see from.

名前

namae

[nah-mah-eh]

name

Used when giving or asking for someone's name.

Example

名前をお願いします。

Your name, please.

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

伺っても

ukagatsu te mo

may I ask

This is the humble 'ask' with ても. Make the double t clear: ukagatte mo.

Example

ご住所を伺っても？

May I ask your address?

Words in this phrase

伺っ

ukagatsu

[oo-KAHG]

ask; hear (humble)

Humble form of 'ask' or 'hear', used when speaking to someone of higher status.

Example

先生にお話を伺いました。

I heard a talk from the teacher.

て

[teh]

te-form ending

This ending connects actions, like 'cut and...' in instructions.

Example

てをつけると、つぎのどうさにつなげられます。

When you add -te, you can connect it to the next action.

も

[mo]

even

Indicating emphasis or inclusion.

Example

私も驚いた。

Even I was surprised.

よろしいですか。

yoroshii desu ka

would that be all right?

This polite ending completes the request for permission.

Example

今、よろしいですか。

Is now a good time?

Words in this phrase

よろしい

yoroshii

[yo-ro-SHEE]

all right; acceptable (polite)

Polite form of 'good'; used in asking permission.

Example

お電話してもよろしいですか。

May I call you?

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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