If you’re like me and mostly want to speak Japanese, not read or write it, this post is for you. Everything here is written in romaji (the Romanized version of Japanese). If you’re interested in learning hiragana, katakana, or kanji, I recommend using other resources, or even asking ChatGPT for a custom plan.
(Feel free to check out the r/languagelearning and r/LearnJapanese subreddits for extra resources or recommendations).
π° I don’t have any certificates, just a learner sharing what I know, so if I get something wrong, feel free to double-check or correct me!
π¬ Iβm still learning Japanese too, (on my journey from bronze to grandmaster), I document everything in my weekly language progress logs.
Every week I post a page with:
- A short speaking video or update
- My test assessment
- Notes and improvements
- What rank Iβm at (from Bronze to Grandmaster)
π Check out the Language Progress Glossary Here
Most questions in Japanese will end with the ka (γ) particle, think of it as the equivalent of a question mark in English. It always comes at the end of the sentence, even after polite endings like desu or masu, except when using kudasai, where it’s not typically used.
π§ The only particle that comes after “ka” is “na”, used in ka na phrases when wondering or thinking out loud, or to oneself:
Nani ka naβ¦ β I wonder what it is.β¨ There are also confirmation tags like ne, na, and deshou that can form questions without using ka, but those are for another page.
π£οΈ Tone of Voice
When asking a question, your intonation should rise at the end, much like English. This helps indicate you’re asking a question even in informal speech when ka is dropped.
Examples:
- Nan sai desu ka? β How old are you?
- Namae wa nan desu ka? β Whatβs your name?
- Kore, tabemasu ka? β Do you want to eat this?
- Ashita, Tokyo ni ikimasu ka? β Are you going to Tokyo tomorrow?
π§ βNaniβ (what) often changes to βnanβ before certain consonants like d, t, n, or j. This change isnβt a grammar rule, but rather a pronunciation adjustment.
Japanese naturally favors smooth, rhythmic speech, so nani shortens to nan in cases where saying “nani” followed by one of these sounds would feel clunky or unnatural.
Examples:
- Nan desu ka? β What is it?
- Nan ji desu ka? β What time is it?
- Nan to iu? β What did (they) say?
When followed by particles or softer sounds, nani usually stays as-is:
- Nani wo tabemasu ka? β What will you eat?
- Nani ga suki desu ka? β What do you like?
π In very informal speech, ka can be dropped because the question word alone makes it obvious that youβre asking something. But be careful, omitting ka can come off as rude or blunt unless you’re in a casual setting or with close friends.
Essential Japanese Question Words
| Word | Example (Casual) | Meaning | Example (Polite) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dare? (who) | Dare? | Who? | Dare desu ka? |
| Nani (what) | Nani tabetai? | What do you want to eat? | Nani wo tabetai desu ka? |
| Nan (what) | Nan ji ka? | What time is it? | Nan ji desu ka? |
| Itsu (when) | Itsu kaetta? | When did you get home? | Itsu kaerimashita ka? |
| doko (where) | Inu doko? | Where’s the dog? | Inu wa doko desu ka? |
| Doushite (why) | Doushite konai? | Why didn’t (he/she/they) come? | Naze konakatta desu ka? |
| Dore (which one, three or more choices) | Dore ga suki? | Which do you like? | Dore ga suki desu ka? |
| Dochira (which one (two choices), which direction (formal) | Dochira ga ii? | Which one is good? | Dochira ga ii desu ka? |
| ikura (how much) | Tori ikura? | How much is the chicken? | Tori wa ikura desu ka? |
| ikutsu (how many) | Mikan ikutsu aru? | How many oranges are there? | Mikan wa ikutsu arimasu ka? |
| Dou (how) | datta? | How? (can also mean and?) | Dou deshita ka? |
| Dono (which, before a noun) | Dono hon? | Which book? | Dono hon desu ka? |
| dono gurai (how long/much) | GΔmu dono gurai? | How long is the game? | GΔmu wa dono gurai desu ka? |
β Final Summary
All the grammar explanations are solid, and the structure is really beginner-friendly. Just a few tweaks:
- Fix the βNan desu ka = How old are youβ mix-up
- Use a clearer βnanβ example like Nan ji desu ka?
- Update small typos and polish wording slightly
π§ Practice Tips:
- Make flashcards with the question markers.
- Use ChatGPT to quiz you on making sentences.
- Try making your own sentences and get feedback!
𧱠Why I Learn This Way
While I continue learning Japanese and other languages, I also make money online through beermoney apps. Itβs not much, but it helps me feel like Iβm turning my free time into something more productive and fun.
π Check out my glossaries below
πΈ Beermoney Glossary:
Curious how much money you can realistically make online from surveys, games, ads, and small tasks? Check out my Beermoney Glossary page, where I break down every app and site Iβve tried with videos, payment proof, and my personal experiences. I always recommend doing beermoney while watching shows, anime, gaming, or handling small tasks around the house.
π Beermoney reviews
π Monthly Earnings Tracker:
Want to see exactly what I cashed out every month? My Monthly Earnings Tracker has screenshots of my app cashouts, plus updates on my trading and investment accounts, all in one place, month by month.
π Monthly earnings
π Language Learning Glossary:
Curious what languages Iβm learning? Check out my Language Learning Glossary for weekly progress updates. I post short speaking videos, track my progress, share my personal study notes, and break down the rank criteria I follow.
π Language progress