どういう意味ですか？
dō iu imi desu ka?
The English phrase "what does it mean?" is translated into Japanese as どういう意味ですか？ (dō iu imi desu ka?)
You use this phrase to ask about the definition or intent of a word or phrase.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dō iu (what kind of), imi (meaning) and desu ka (is it?).
Which one should you use?
While どういう意味ですか？ is the standard way to ask the question, you can make the subject explicit by adding sore wa (that) to the beginning, resulting in それはどういう意味ですか？ (What does that mean?).
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 this question. For a more formal way to ask "What does it mean?", you can use Nan to iu imi desu ka? or Kore wa nan to iu imi desu ka? to specifically say "What does this mean?" For informal situations, such as when speaking with friends or peers, you can drop the desu ka to use the casual form どういう意味？
How do you pronounce it?
dō iu imi desu ka?
Did you know?
- If you are confused by a person's behavior rather than a word, using どういう意味ですか？ can sound like you are accusing them of having a hidden, suspicious agenda.
- In a heated argument, saying どういう意味？ (dō iu imi?) is often used not to ask for a definition, but to challenge someone with a tone like 'What is that supposed to mean?'
- If you use the casual どういう意味？ with a superior, it can sound incredibly blunt or even confrontational, as if you are questioning their logic rather than their vocabulary.
Examples in context
- この言葉は、どういう意味ですか？Kono kotoba wa, dou iu imi desu ka?What does this word mean?
- その記号は、どういう意味ですか？Sono kigou wa, dou iu imi desu ka?What does that symbol mean?
- すみません、これはどういう意味ですか？Sumimasen, kore wa dou iu imi desu ka?Excuse me, what does this mean?
Example conversation
Misaki is asking Kenta about a word in a book.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、この漢字はどういう意味ですか？Kenta-san, kono kanji wa dou iu imi desu ka?Kenta, what does this kanji mean?
- 健太 Kentaそれは「希望」という意味ですよ。Sore wa 'kibou' to iu imi desu yo.It means 'hope'.
- 美咲 Misakiなるほど、分かりました。Naruhodo, wakarimashita.I see, I understand.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは、とても勉強熱心ですね。Misaki-san wa, totemo benkyou neishin desu ne.Misaki, you are very enthusiastic about studying.
