What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "did we meet somewhere?", utilizing the polite form of the verb for meeting or seeing someone.
Which one should you use?
While どこかでお会いしましたっけ provides a soft way to ask if you know someone, the phrase 誰ですか (Who are you?) is much more direct and can sound blunt or even rude depending on your tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
どこかでお会いしましたっけ is a polite form suitable for use with strangers or in social settings where you wish to remain respectful while seeking recognition. For more casual interactions, you can use the informal 知り合い？ to ask "Do I know you?" In very informal situations or with close friends, one might use お前誰っけ？, though be aware that this can be perceived as rough or impolite.
How do you pronounce it?
dokoka de oaimashita kke
Did you know?
- In many Japanese social contexts, instead of asking 'do I know you', it is more common to ask 'what was our connection?' by using the word ご縁 (goen), which refers to a mysterious, karmic connection between people.
- In a formal business setting, instead of asking if you know someone, you might simply say 失礼ですが (shitsurei desu ga), meaning 'Excuse me, but…', and wait for the other person to identify themselves.
- The particle っけ at the end of どこかでお会いしましたっけ acts as a linguistic 'reminder' signal, indicating that the speaker is trying to recall a piece of information that was once known but is now fuzzy.
Examples in context
- おい、知り合い？Hey, do I know you?
- お前誰っけ？久しぶり！Do I know you? Long time no see!
- お顔に見覚えがあるのですが、どこかでお会いしましたっけ？O-kao ni miokoe ga aru no desu ga, dokoka de o-ai shimashita kke?Your face looks familiar, have we met somewhere before?
- どこかでお会いしましたっけ？ お名前を伺ってもよろしいですか？Dokoka de o-ai shimashita kke? O-namae o ukagattemo yoroshii desu ka?Have we met somewhere before? May I ask your name?
Example conversation
Hiroto approaches Himari at a cafe because he thinks he recognizes her.
- 大翔 Hirotoすみません、どこかでお会いしましたっけ？Sumimasen, dokoka de o-ai shimashita kke?Excuse me, have we met somewhere before?
- 陽葵 Himariいえ、そんなことはないと思います。Iie, sonna koto wa nai to omoimasu.No, I don't think so.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうですか、失礼しました。Sou desu ka, shitsurei shimashita.I see, my apologies.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫ですよ。Daijoubu desu yo.That's quite alright.
