どういう意味ですか？
In Japanese, 'what do you mean by that?' is expressed as どういう意味ですか？
This phrase is used both to ask for the definition of a word and to ask for clarification on the intent or implication of someone's statement.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form どういう意味ですか？ is the standard polite way to ask for clarification in most social situations. For a more formal approach, you can use それはどういう意味ですか？ In informal settings, such as when speaking with friends or peers, you can use それはどういう意味？ or それってどういうこと？ If you are speaking casually and want to ask someone what they are trying to say, you can use それって何を言いたいの？
How does it change in a sentence?
To make a question sound softer, more indirect and more polite, you can use どういう意味でしょうか？ instead of どういう意味ですか？ Additionally, dropping the ですか makes the phrase どういう意味？ informal and suitable for family or friends.
Did you know?
- If you use どういう意味？ (dō iu imi?) with a rising intonation in a heated argument, it can sound less like a genuine question and more like a sharp accusation of being offensive.
- While English speakers often use 'what' to clarify, Japanese speakers frequently avoid using the word 'you' (あなた) in these phrases, as addressing the person directly can feel uncomfortably blunt or even rude.
- The phrase どういうこと？ is often used when the speaker understands the words being said but is surprised by the situation. In this context, it functions more like 'What's going on?' or 'How is this possible?' than a request for a definition.
Examples in context
- それって具体的にどういうことなんだ？What do you mean by that?
- その言葉はどういう意味ですか？Sono kotoba wa dō iu imi desu ka?What do you mean by that word?
- さっきの返事はどういう意味ですか？Sakki no henji wa dō iu imi desu ka?What do you mean by that reply just now?
Example conversation
陽葵 asks 陽太 about a mysterious comment he made during lunch.
- 陽葵 Himari今の発言は、どういう意味ですか？Ima no hatsugen wa, dō iu imi desu ka?What do you mean by that comment just now?
- 陽太 Yotaあ、ちょっと冗談を言っただけだよ。A, chotto jōdan o itta dake dayo.Ah, I was just making a little joke.
- 陽葵 Himari冗談でも、少し驚きました。Jōdan demo, sukoshi odorokimashita.Even if it was a joke, I was a bit surprised.
- 陽太 Yotaごめんね、そんなつもりじゃなかったんだ。Gomen ne, sonna tsumori janakattan da.I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way.
