Volume 2 · Chapter 06
Questions
か, question words, and confirmation checks.
Questions in Japanese are not a separate grammar system. They are mostly endings plus question words.
Core yes/no pattern
ます forms become yes/no questions by adding か.
- go / will go
- go / will go?
- there is a reservation.
- is there a reservation?
In speech, intonation helps, but do not wait for it. か is enough.
Question words
- どこ
- where
- いつ
- when
- いくら
- how much
- どれ
- which one
- 何
- what
- どう
- how
Build questions from phrases
- Where is the restroom?
- What is this?
- How much is it?
- What time is it?
Useful service phrases
These are practical in offices, stores, trains:
- Where can I wait?
- Which elevator is it?
- Which counter is it?
- Which one is this?
Answering a question
- Yes, there is.
- No, there is not.
- Yes, I can.
- No, I cannot.
Mini scene
Randomized practice
Question Practice
-
Meaning
行きますか。
Will/would you go?
-
Meaning
予約がありますか。
Do you have a reservation?
-
Meaning
トイレはどこですか。
Where is the restroom?
-
Meaning
これは何ですか。
What is this?
-
Meaning
いくらですか。
How much is it?
-
Meaning
何時ですか。
What time is it?
-
Say it
Ask if there is a line.
列がありますか。
-
Say it
Ask where the counter is.
どの窓口ですか。
-
Say it
Ask which elevator is for transfer.
どちらのエレベーターですか。
-
Say it
Ask which one is this.
これはどれですか。
-
Say it
Answer with yes they can use it.
はい、できます。
-
Say it
Answer with no they cannot.
いいえ、できません。
-
Read it
Read: どこですか。
where is ...?
-
Read it
Read: どれですか。
which one?
-
Read it
Read: 何時ですか。
what time is it?
-
Read it
Read: どう行きますか。
how do I go?
-
Trap
いくらか
This is a question noun form, not the same as いくらですか。
-
Trap
どこです
Add を question ending with か for confirmation: どこですか。
-
Listen
Listen first. Which form is a yes/no question?
What is the phrase ending in か: 予約がありますか。