Question Words

1. 何？

   na-ni

   What?

   Usage

   The question word to ask what something is or what was said

2. どこ？

   do-ko

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; point at a map or an object while you say it

3. いつ？

   i-tsu

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time — departures, opening hours

4. 誰？

   da-re

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, including who is in charge

5. なぜ？

   na-ze

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; keep your tone soft so it does not sound like an accusation

6. どうやって？

   dou-yat-te

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method — how to get there, how to use something

7. いくつ？

   i-ku-tsu

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number of things, people, or stops

8. いくらですか？

   i-ku-ra-de-su-ka

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard way to ask a price — the most used shopping question

9. どれ？

   do-re

   Which one?

   Usage

   Choosing among options; use it while pointing

10. これは何ですか？

    ko-re-wa-nan-de-su-ka

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or an item to ask what it is — handy in markets and eateries

11. トイレはどこですか？

    to-i-re-wa-do-ko-de-su-ka

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most used travel questions; fine to ask anyone

12. 何時ですか？

    nan-ji-de-su-ka

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time — useful while waiting for transport

13. ありますか？

    a-ri-ma-su-ka

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is available; point at the item and it works

14. できますか？

    de-ki-ma-su-ka

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible — a discount, a repair, a takeaway

15. 有料ですか？

    yuu-ryou-de-su-ka

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, entry, or Wi-Fi costs money

16. 無料ですか？

    mu-ryou-de-su-ka

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Check whether a sample, a map, or a shuttle is free of charge

17. いいですか？

    i-i-de-su-ka

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

18. だめですか？

    da-me-de-su-ka

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

19. 大丈夫ですか？

    dai-jou-bu-de-su-ka

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing — a different role from "いいですか？" (asking permission)

20. 本当ですか？

    hon-tou-de-su-ka

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

21. 間違いないですか？

    ma-chi-ga-i-na-i-de-su-ka

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for confirmation of a fact — more formal than "本当ですか？"

22. 出身はどこですか？

    shus-shin-wa-do-ko-de-su-ka

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

23. お名前は？

    o-na-ma-e-wa

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

24. 何歳ですか？

    nan-sai-de-su-ka

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age at a first meeting — especially of a woman — can feel forward in Japan; better saved until you know them a little

25. 一緒に写真いいですか？

    is-sho-ni-sha-shin-i-i-de-su-ka

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

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