What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of several parts: 日本語 (Japanese language), the particle が used to mark the object of one's understanding or ability, the verb 分かります which is the polite form of wakaru (to understand or grasp the meaning) and the particle か which turns the sentence into a question.
Which one should you use?
The standard way to ask this is 日本語が分かりますか？, which translates more literally to "Do you understand Japanese?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal version specifically asking if someone can speak the language, you can use 話せますか？ You can also use the respectful expression ご存知 to mean "to know" or "to be aware of" in a polite manner. In informal settings with friends, you can use the dictionary form 日本語が分かる？ by dropping the polite endings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が marks the Japanese language as the object of the verb. The verb 分かります is the polite form of wakaru (to understand), and the particle か at the end functions as a question marker.
How do you pronounce it?
nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?
Did you know?
- While 日本語 refers to the language, the word 日本 means 'origin of the sun'. This reflects the name 'Japan' as the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.
- If you answer 分かります (wakarimasu) during a conversation, it often functions as a 'backchannel' signal to show you are listening, rather than actually confirming you understand the entire concept.
- If someone answers 少し (sukoshi), meaning 'a little', it is a common social lubricant that may actually mean they cannot speak the language at all.
Examples in context
- 日本語をご存知ですか？Do you know the Japanese language?
- 日本語が分かりますか？Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?Do you know Japanese?
- すみません、日本語が分かりますか？Sumimasen, Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?Excuse me, do you know Japanese?
- 少しは日本語が分かりますか？Sukoshi wa Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?Do you understand a little Japanese?
Example conversation
Yota meets Yui at an international event.
- 結衣 Yuiこんにちは！日本語が分かりますか？Konnichiwa! Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?Hello! Do you know Japanese?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、少しだけ分かります。Hai, sukoshi dake wakarimasu.Yes, I understand a little bit.
- 結衣 Yui本当ですか！嬉しいです。Hontou desu ka! Ureshii desu.Really! I'm glad.
- 陽太 Yotaよろしくお願いします、結衣さん。Yoroshiku onegaishimasu, Yui-san.Nice to meet you, Yui.
