Asking 'what?' the right way
By the end you'll ask what something is, what someone said, and what someone wants in casual or polite Japanese.
N5 N5 to N4 · 3 phrases
- 1
ですか？ nan desu ka?
Polite 'what is it?', point and ask in shops or at work.
Use when pointing at something you don't recognise
これはですか？ kore wa nan desu ka?
What's this?
- 2
えっ、？ e?, nani?
Casual 'huh, what?' when you missed what was said.
Use when you didn't catch a friend's words
えっ、？もう？ e?, nani? mou ikkai?
Huh, what? One more time?
- 3
にする？ nan ni suru?
Casual 'what'll you have?' for menus, choices, plans.
Use when ordering with a friend, picking together
ランチ、にする？ ranchi, nan ni suru?
What are you getting for lunch?
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