How to Say ‘Who are you cheering for?’ in Japanese
だれを応援しているの？
dare o ouen shi te iru n
[dareh o ouen shee teh eeru noh]
💬 Usage Tip: A very natural casual question. [だれを] asks “who,” [応援している] is “are cheering for,” and [の？] softens the question.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is perfect for sports chat in Japan, where asking someone’s favorite team is a common icebreaker during tournaments.
Phrase Breakdown
だれを
dare o
who; whom
Marks the person receiving the action, using を.
だれを応援していますか。
Who are you supporting?
Words in this phrase
だれ
dare
[dareh]
who
Used to ask which person or team someone supports.
だれを応援しているの？のだれは相手をたずねます。
The だれ in だれを応援しているの？ asks about the person or team.
を
o
[o]
object marker
Marks the thing or person being supported.
だれを応援しているの？のをは対象を示します。
The を in だれを応援しているの？ marks the target.
応援しているの？
ouen shi te iru n
Are you supporting?
The progressive form of 応援する asks who someone is currently cheering for.
日本を応援しているの？
Are you supporting Japan?
Words in this phrase
応援
ouen
[ouen]
support; cheer for
Refers to cheering for or supporting a team, player, or country.
だれを応援しているの？の応援はスポーツでよく使います。
The 応援 in だれを応援しているの？ is often used in sports.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Part of the verb する in connected form.
だれを応援しているの？のしはするの一部です。
The し in だれを応援しているの？ is part of する.
て
te
[teh]
-te form
Connects the verb to いる to show an ongoing action.
だれを応援しているの？のては形をつなげます。
The て in だれを応援しているの？ connects the verb form.
いる
iru
[eeru]
is doing
Shows the action is ongoing: “is supporting.”
だれを応援しているの？のいるで進行中になります。
The いる in だれを応援しているの？ makes it progressive.
の
n
[noh]
questioning tone
Makes the question soft and natural in conversation.
だれを応援しているの？ののは会話で自然です。
The の in だれを応援しているの？ sounds natural in conversation.
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