How to Ask Questions in Japanese: Who, What, When, Where, Why

Whether you're navigating the streets of Kyoto, chatting with locals, or preparing for a language proficiency test, learning how to ask questions in Japanese is a key communication skill. It's not just about memorizing vocabulary. It's about understanding the grammar structure, choosing the right level of politeness, and using each question naturally in context.

In this guide, you'll explore the essential Japanese question words: Who (だれ), What (なに), When (いつ), Where (どこ), and Why (なぜ). Each section includes clear examples, polite and casual forms, usage tips, and common learner mistakes.

By the end of this article, you'll be able to ask questions confidently and more naturally in everyday Japanese conversations.

Common Japanese Question Words: How to Ask Question in Japanese Language

In Japanese, questions are formed by adding the particle "か" (ka) to the end of a sentence, which functions as a marker indicating that the sentence is a question. For instance, 「お元気ですか？」(o-genki desu ka?) translates to “How are you?” in English. Lets learn some of the basis Japanese Question Words

1. Who? (だれ / どなた - Dare / Donata)

In Japanese, "Who" is typically expressed using だれ (dare). It is a casual and commonly used term when asking about someone’s identity. For polite or formal situations, the word どなた (donata) is preferred.

Examples:

だれですか？ (Dare desu ka?) – Who is it?
あの人はだれですか？ (Ano hito wa dare desu ka?) – Who is that person?
これを書いたのはだれですか？ (Kore o kaita no wa dare desu ka?) – Who wrote this?

Polite Form:

どなた (donata) is a more respectful way to say “who.”
Example: 先生はどなたですか？ (Sensei wa donata desu ka?) – Who is the teacher?

Tip: In formal situations, use "donata" instead of "dare" to show respect. Use どなた instead of だれ in formal conversations, interviews, or when speaking to elders to show respect.

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2. What? (なに / なん - Nani / Nan)

Use なに (nani) or なん (nan) to ask about things, objects, or abstract ideas. While they both mean “what,” the choice between them is based on phonetic flow and grammar rules.

Examples:

これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?) – What is this?
何を食べますか？ (Nani o tabemasu ka?) – What will you eat?
何が好きですか？ (Nani ga suki desu ka?) – What do you like?

When to Use なに (nani) vs. なん (nan)

Japanese is a language of rhythm and flow. Use nan when the following word begins with a "d," "t," or "n" sound for smoother pronunciation:

Use "nan" before desu (です) or words beginning with t, d, n sounds.
- Example: 何ですか？ (Nan desu ka?) – What is it?
Use "nani" before verbs and most other cases.
- Example: 何をしますか？ (Nani o shimasu ka?) – What will you do?

Tip: If unsure, listen to native speakers and pay attention to natural patterns.

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3. When? (いつ - Itsu)

Use いつ (itsu) to ask about time-related questions. Use いつ (itsu) to ask when something will happen. It’s often used without particles, unless you're adding emphasis or extra information.

Examples:

いつ日本に行きますか？ (Itsu Nihon ni ikimasu ka?) – When are you going to Japan?
誕生日はいつですか？ (Tanjoubi wa itsu desu ka?) – When is your birthday?
試験はいつですか？ (Shiken wa itsu desu ka?) – When is the exam?

Alternative Time Questions:

If you want to be more specific, use:

何時 (なんじ, nanji) → What time?
- 試合は何時ですか？ (Shiai wa nanji desu ka?) – What time is the match?
どのぐらい (dono gurai) → How long?
- ここまでどのぐらいかかりますか？ (Koko made dono gurai kakarimasu ka?) – How long does it take to get here?

Tip: “Itsu” usually stands alone, but you might occasionally hear it with particles like に (ni), depending on the structure.

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4. Where? (どこ / どちら - Doko / Dochira)

Use どこ (doko) to ask about location. For a more polite tone, use どちら (dochira).

Examples:

駅はどこですか？ (Eki wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the station?
トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?) – Where is the restroom?
あなたの家はどこですか？ (Anata no ie wa doko desu ka?) – Where is your house?

Polite Forms:

どちら (dochira) → More polite than "doko."
- Example: トイレはどちらですか？ (Toire wa dochira desu ka?) – Where is the restroom? (more formal)
いずこ (izuko) → Very old/formal version (rarely used).

Tip: Use dochira in formal situations, such as speaking to customers or strangers.

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5. Why? (なぜ / どうして / なんで - Naze / Doushite / Nande)

There are three common ways to ask “why” in Japanese, each with a slightly different tone.

Use なぜ (naze), どうして (doushite), or なんで (nande) to ask about reasons or explanations.

Examples:

なぜ泣いているの？ (Naze naite iru no?) – Why are you crying?
どうして学校に行かないのですか？ (Doushite gakkou ni ikanai no desu ka?) – Why aren’t you going to school?
なんで遅れたの？ (Nande okureta no?) – Why were you late?

Differences Between なぜ / どうして / なんで:

Word	Formality	Usage
なぜ (naze)	Formal	Used in writing, academic speech
どうして (doushite)	Neutral	Used in daily conversations
なんで (nande)	Casual	Used informally among friends

Tip: Nande sounds casual and can come across as emotional or confrontational. Use doushite if you’re unsure.

Brief Comparison: Japanese vs. English Questions

Unlike English, Japanese questions rarely change the word order. The verb usually stays at the end, and subjects are often dropped when they’re obvious from context.

This reflects how Japanese relies heavily on context rather than sentence structure to convey meaning. For example, while English might say "Where are you going?" with inversion, Japanese simply says "どこに行く？" (Doko ni iku?) without flipping the order.

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How to Make Questions in Japanese

Japanese often omits the question mark. The structure of the sentence indicates a question, especially in polite or spoken forms.

Common Question Patterns:

[Question Word] + ですか？ (Polite)
- 例: どこですか？ (Doko desu ka?) – Where is it?
[Question Word] + [Verb] か？ (Casual)
- 例: いつ行く？ (Itsu iku?) – When are you going?
[Question Word] + の？ (Casual, spoken)
- 例: なんで？ (Nande?) – Why?

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learning the question words is just the beginning. It's easy to run into small mistakes that can make your Japanese sound awkward or too casual.

Using “nande” in a job interview or formal situation. This can sound blunt or even rude. Use “naze” or “doushite” instead.

Confusing “nani ga” and “nani o”. “Nani ga” marks the subject of a sentence, while “nani o” marks the object. Mixing them up can change the meaning entirely.

Asking “Dare wa?” by itself. It sounds abrupt and unnatural. It's better to ask “Dare desu ka?” for clarity and politeness.

FAQs

What’s the difference between “nani” and “nan”?
Use nani before verbs, and nan before “desu” or words starting with certain consonants.

How do I ask questions politely?
Use “ですか” endings and choose polite forms like どなた (for "who") and どちら (for "where").

Is “nande” okay to use in formal settings?
No. It’s very casual. Use naze or doushite instead in professional or formal conversations.

How can I get better at asking questions?
Listen to native conversations, repeat what you hear, use flashcards, and try using questions in real dialogues.

What does “Nandayo” mean?
It's a casual, emotional way of saying “What?” Often used to express frustration or surprise.

What does “Chotto matte” mean?
It means “Wait a moment.” Common and useful in everyday situations.

Understanding Japanese question words is the first step. Using them correctly, naturally, and respectfully takes your communication to the next level. By practicing with intention and listening closely to how native speakers ask and answer, you’ll grow more confident and fluent over time.

Bonus Point: Choose one question word like “いつ” (itsu) and come up with three questions you might use in real life. For example, "When is your birthday?" or "When do you go to school?" Say them out loud and, if possible, practice with a friend, tutor, or even a language exchange partner.