日本語で何と言いますか
The English phrase "how to say in japanese" is translated into Japanese as 日本語で何と言いますか.
For a more complete polite request, you can say Sumimasen, "word/phrase" wa Nihongo de dou iimasu ka?, which means "Excuse me, how do you say 'word/phrase' in Japanese?" In these contexts, Nihongo means Japanese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into 日本語 (Japanese language), で (in/using), 何 (what), と (quotation particle) and 言いますか (do you say/is it said).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 日本語で何と言いますか is polite and suitable for use with teachers, strangers or in a classroom setting. For a more casual approach among friends or in informal settings, you can use 日本語で何て言うの？ An informal way to ask how to express something is "Word/Phrase" wa Nihongo de nanto iu?
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle で (de) is essential because it indicates the medium or tool (the Japanese language) being used to express the thought.
Did you know?
- While 日本語 refers to the language, the word 日本 means 'origin of the sun'. This is why Japan is known as the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.
- When asking this phrase, Japanese speakers often accompany it with a slight tilt of the head or a small bow. This non-verbal cue signals a request for help or a humble admission of ignorance.
- The polite ending ますか is part of a system called 'keigo'. This system allows speakers to change the entire level of the phrase depending on the social rank of the person they are asking.
Examples in context
- これは日本語で何と言いますか？Kore wa nihongo de nan to iimasu ka?How do you say this in Japanese?
- 「Apple」は日本語で何と言いますか？Apple wa nihongo de nan to iimasu ka?How do you say 'Apple' in Japanese?
- その単語は日本語で何と言いますか？Sono tango wa nihongo de nan to iimasu ka?How do you say that word in Japanese?
Example conversation
Misaki is asking Kenta for help with a vocabulary word.
- 美咲 Misakiすみません、これは日本語で何と言いますか？Sumimasen, kore wa nihongo de nan to iimasu ka?Excuse me, how do you say this in Japanese?
- 健太 Kentaそれは「本」と言います。Sore wa hon to iimasu.That is said as 'hon'.
- 美咲 Misakiなるほど、ありがとうございます。Naruhodo, arigatou gozaimasu.I see, thank you very much.
- 健太 Kentaどういたしまして。Dou itashimashite.You're welcome.
