何と言いますか
nan to iimasu ka
The Japanese phrase for "how do you say" is 何と言いますか (nan to iimasu ka).
This phrase is used to ask for a translation or the correct way to express a specific word or idea. When you want to specify the language you are asking about, place the particle で (meaning in/using) after the language name, such as 英語で (in English).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to 'What is it that you say?': 何 (what) + と (quotation particle) + 言います (say) + か (question particle). The particle と functions as a quotation marker, indicating that the 何 refers to the specific words being spoken.
Which one should you use?
While 何と言いますか is a more formal way to ask, you can use どのように言いますか？ for a polite version or どう言うの？ for a casual version. For a very casual way to say it, use 何って言う？
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 何と言いますか uses the polite -masu form, making it suitable for most social situations. In casual speech with friends, you can shorten the phrase to 何と言う？
How do you pronounce it?
nan to iimasu ka
Did you know?
- If you are asking a teacher or a boss, you might replace 言いますか with おっしゃいますか, using the honorific verb 'ossharu' to show deep respect.
- In real-life conversation, Japanese speakers often omit the phrase 何と言いますか entirely and simply say the English word followed by は日本語で何ですか？, meaning 'As for [word], what is it in Japanese?'
- Japanese has a distinct way of asking how to 'read' a word versus how to 'say' it, using どう読みますか for written characters.
Examples in context
- ドイツ語で「さようなら」を何と言いますか。How do you say "good bye" in German?This sentence shows how to ask how to say 'goodbye' in German using 何と言いますか.Tatoeba #8533953 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #464137 by maolek
- これは英語で何と言いますか？How do you say this in English?This sentence demonstrates asking how to say 'this' in English using 何と言いますか.Tatoeba #13174345 by atitarev, translation #8677520 by alpucca
- 猫はヘブライ語で何と言いますか？How do you say 'a cat' in Hebrew?This sentence illustrates asking how to say 'a cat' in Hebrew using 何と言いますか.Tatoeba #1700177 by mookeee, translation #572115 by gnomebubble
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren is studying Japanese with Misaki at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren「Thank you」は日本語で何と言いますか？"Thank you" wa Nihongo de nan to iimasu ka?How do you say "Thank you" in Japanese?
- 美咲 Misaki「ありがとう」と言いますよ。"Arigatou" to iimasu yo.You say "Arigatou".
- 蓮 Renなるほど、ありがとうございます。Naruhodo, arigatou gozaimasu.I see, thank you very much.
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、どういたしまして。Iie, douitashimashite.No, you're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
