日本語を教えてくれますか？
nihongo o oshiete kuremasu ka?
To say "can you teach me Japanese?" in Japanese, use 日本語を教えてくれますか？ (nihongo o oshiete kuremasu ka?)
This phrase is used when asking for a favor or a service, implying that the person's teaching is a kind act being bestowed upon you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 日本語を教えてくれますか？ literally breaks down to 'Japanese (object) teach (te-form) give (polite) question particle?'
Which one should you use?
You can use 日本語を教えていただけませんか？ to be more polite or 日本語を教えてくれる？ for an informal approach. If you want to ask for help specifically with your studies, you can say 日本語の勉強を手伝ってもらえる？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal request, use 日本語を教えていただけませんか？ For informal settings, you can use 日本語を教えてくれる？ or even the more casual 日本語教えてよ, where the particle 'o' is dropped. The phrase 日本語教えてよ functions as a way to say "teach me Japanese!" in a casual setting.
How do you pronounce it?
nihongo o oshiete kuremasu ka?
Did you know?
- In many Japanese social contexts, a direct 'yes' to this request is rare. Even if a person intends to help, they might respond with a vague 検討します (kentou shimasu), which literally means 'I will consider it' but often serves as a polite refusal.
- While 教えて comes from the verb 'to teach', it is also the standard way to ask someone for information, such as directions to a station or the time of day.
- In highly formal Japanese, you might avoid asking someone to 'teach' you and instead use a phrase that asks for their 'guidance' ご指導, as the act of teaching implies a hierarchy.
Examples in context
- すみません、日本語を教えていただけませんか？Excuse me, can you teach me Japanese?
- もちろんですよ！どこから始めますか？Of course! Where shall we start?
- おい、日本語を教えてくれる？Hey, can you teach me Japanese?
- ああ、もちろん！どんなことから始めたい？Ah, of course! What kind of things do you want to start with?
- 日本語を教えてくれますか？Nihongo o oshiete kuremasu ka?Can you teach me Japanese?
- 少し日本語を教えてくれますか？Sukoshi Nihongo o oshiete kuremasu ka?Can you teach me a little Japanese?
- もっと日本語を教えてくれますか？Motto Nihongo o oshiete kuremasu ka?Can you teach me more Japanese?
Example conversation
A student approaches a classmate in a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さん、日本語を教えてくれますか？Hiroto-san, Nihongo o oshiete kuremasu ka?Hiroto, can you teach me Japanese?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですよ、喜んで。Ii desu yo, yorokonde.Sure, I'd be happy to.
- 陽葵 Himari本当にありがとうございます！Hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu!Thank you so much!
- 大翔 Hiroto一緒に頑張りましょう。Issho ni ganbarimashou.Let's do our best together.
