日本はどうですか
nihon wa dō desu ka
The English phrase "how is japan" is expressed in Japanese as 日本はどうですか (nihon wa dō desu ka).
This phrase is used to ask for a person's impression, opinion or the current state of things in Japan.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to 日本 (Japan/subject) は ([topic marker]) どう (how is) ですか ([polite copula] + [question particle]).
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the ですか and using 日本はどう makes the question informal. If you want to ask how a trip to Japan was in the past tense, change ですか to でしたか to form 日本はどうでしたか.
How do you pronounce it?
nihon wa dō desu ka
Did you know?
- The characters for 日本 literally mean 'sun' and 'origin'. This is why Japan is globally known as the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.
- The name for Japan, 日本, has two distinct pronunciations: Nihon and Nippon. While Nihon is the most common version used in daily conversation, you will find the more formal Nippon printed on official items like banknotes and postage stamps.
- In Japanese culture, answering どうですか (how is it) with a direct 'it was great' can sometimes seem too blunt. People often use vague language or qualifiers to maintain social harmony.
Examples in context
- Yukoさん、日本はいかがですか？Yuko-san, Nihon wa ikaga desu ka?
- ああ、最近はまあまあだよ。Aa, saikin wa maamaada yo.
- 日本はどうですか。Nihon wa dō desu ka.How is Japan?
- 初めての日本はどうですか。Hajimete no Nihon wa dō desu ka.How is your first time in Japan?
Example conversation
Yui asks Kenta about his experience traveling in Japan.
- 結衣 Yui健太さん、日本はどうですか。Kenta-san, Nihon wa dō desu ka.Kenta, how is Japan?
- 健太 Kentaとても楽しいです。Totemo tanoshii desu.It is very fun.
- 結衣 Yui食べ物も美味しいですか。Tabemono mo oishii desu ka.Is the food delicious too?
- 健太 Kentaはい、最高ですよ。Hai, saikō desu yo.Yes, it is the best.
