How to Say ‘How about you, ~?’ in Japanese
〜さんは？
san wa
[sahn wah]
💬 Usage Tip: [〜さんは？] is a short, natural way to bounce the question back: “And you?” It’s literally “As for you…?”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese conversation often uses these short prompts to keep things flowing without sounding like an interview.
Phrase Breakdown
さん
san
[sahn]
Mr./Ms.; polite name suffix
Name suffix. In 〜さんは？ it’s used to ask “How about you, ~?”
田中さんは趣味は何ですか。
How about you, Tanaka—what are your hobbies?
は
wa
[wah]
(topic marker) as for; and you?
With rising intonation (〜は？), it means “How about …?” Often used to bounce the question back.
私は映画が好きです。田中さんは？
I like movies. How about you, Tanaka?
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