質問があります
shitsumon ga arimasu[ɕi̥t͡sɨmo̞ŋ ɡa̠ a̠ɾʲima̠sɨ̥]polite
In Japanese, the phrase 'I have a question' can be expressed as 質問があります (shitsumon ga arimasu). Wiktionary also lists 質問がある (shitsumon ga aru).
Meaning: I have a question (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 質問があります | shitsumon ga arimasu | [ɕi̥t͡sɨmo̞ŋ ɡa̠ a̠ɾʲima̠sɨ̥] (narrow) | polite |
| 質問がある | shitsumon ga aru |
For a simple and casual way to ask if someone has a question, you can use 質問ある？
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 質問, which means 'question' and the verb ある or あります, which means 'to exist' or 'to have' for inanimate objects.
Which one should you use?
The form 質問がある is the plain/informal version, whereas 質問があります is the polite version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
質問があります is the polite form. 質問がある is used in casual settings or with friends. The casual expression 質問ある？ is also used to ask if someone has a question in an informal manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 質問があります means 'a question exists/I have a question', 質問をしたいです means 'I want to ask a question'.
How do you pronounce it?
shitsumon ga arimasu
Did you know?
- In a Japanese classroom, students rarely say 質問があります to interrupt a teacher. Instead, they often raise their hand in silence to avoid disrupting the flow of the lesson.
- The word 質問 (shitsumon) is actually a compound of two characters meaning 'to probe' and 'to consult'.
- In Japanese, you don't 'ask' a question using the English logic of 'asking a question'. Instead, you 'do' a question 質問をする, treating the act as a task.
Examples in context
- 質問があります。I have a question.Tatoeba #149535 by bunbuku, translation #378292 by CK
- 私も質問があります。I have a question too.Tatoeba #11529729 by small_snow, translation #9471993 by DJ_Saidez
- 君について質問がある!I have a question about you!Tatoeba #13559410 by Jaroslav_Dubo123, translation #13558130 by Jaroslav_Dubo123
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student asks a teacher for clarification after a lecture.
- 大翔 Hiroto先生、質問があります。Sensei, shitsumon ga arimasu.Professor, I have a question.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、何ですか？Hai, nan desu ka?Yes, what is it?
- 大翔 Hirotoこの言葉の意味を教えてください。Kono kotoba no imi o oshiete kudasai.Please tell me the meaning of this word.
- 結衣 Yuiもちろんです。Mochiron desu.Of course.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I have a question” translations and entries 質問があります, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 質問があります, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
