How to Say ‘Is it? / Are you?’ in Japanese
ですか
desu ka
[dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: [ですか] turns a statement into a polite question. Tiny ending, big job.
🇯🇵 In Japan: You’ll hear [ですか] constantly at counters because staff ask short confirmation questions to avoid paperwork mistakes.
Phrase Breakdown
です
desu
[dess]
is / polite ending
A polite copula used before か to make a polite question.
転入ですか、と聞かれました。
I was asked, "Is it a move-in?"
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
This particle turns a statement into a question.
転入ですか、はいと答えます。
To "Is it a move-in?" I answer yes.
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