なんと言いますか
nan to iimasu ka
In Japanese, "what do you say?" is expressed as なんと言いますか (nan to iimasu ka), used to ask how to express a specific word or phrase in another language.
This phrase is used specifically to ask for the translation or expression of a concept in Japanese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of なん (what), と (quotation particle), 言います (to say/speak) and か (question particle).
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite version uses the form 言います, while the informal version なんと言う？ uses the dictionary form 言う instead.
How do you pronounce it?
nan to iimasu ka
Did you know?
- To be even more polite, a learner might say なんとおっしゃいますか, replacing the verb 言います with the honorific おっしゃいます to show respect to the teacher.
- In Japanese, the phrase 言う can be used to describe not just speaking, but also the 'voice' or 'sound' that a non-human object makes.
- The verb 言う (to say) is used in the common idiom 口が軽い (light-mouthed) to describe someone who cannot keep a secret.
Examples in context
- 雨が降っているので、ピクニックは中止です。何と言いますか？Since it's raining, the picnic is canceled. What do you say?
- これは英語でなんと言いますか。Kore wa Eigo de nan to iimasu ka.How do you say this in English?
- 「ありがとう」は日本語でなんと言いますか。"Arigatou" wa Nihongo de nan to iimasu ka.How do you say "thank you" in Japanese?
- この単語はフランス語でなんと言いますか。Kono tango wa Furansugo de nan to iimasu ka.How do you say this word in French?
Example conversation
Ren is asking Misaki about a Japanese word while studying.
- 蓮 Ren「こんにちは」は英語でなんと言いますか。"Konnichiwa" wa Eigo de nan to iimasu ka.How do you say "Konnichiwa" in English?
- 美咲 Misakiそれは "Hello" と言いますよ。Sore wa "Hello" to iimasu yo.You say "Hello" for that.
- 蓮 Renなるほど、わかりました。Naruhodo, wakarimashita.I see, I understand.
- 美咲 Misaki勉強、頑張ってくださいね。Benkyou, ganbatte kudasai ne.Good luck with your studies.
