What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to "this (kono) word (kotoba) [topic marker] (wa) what kind of (douiu) meaning (imi) is it (desu ka)".
Which one should you use?
While the default form uses kotoba to refer to a word or expression, you can replace it with tango if you are referring specifically to a single vocabulary word. Additionally, in casual settings with friends, you can shorten the phrase to これ、どういう意味? (What does this mean?).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form この言葉はどういう意味ですか is a standard polite version appropriate for talking to a teacher, a stranger or someone in a professional setting. For a very formal and respectful request to have someone teach you a word's meaning, you can use この語の意味を教えてください or the polite この単語はどういう意味ですか? To be even more polite, you might use お分かりになりますか? which means "Do you understand?" In contrast, informal options for friends include この言葉の意味、知ってる? to ask if they know the meaning, この単語、どういう意味なの? to express curiosity or この言葉の意味、わかる? to ask if they understand.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the polite copula desu and the question particle ka, making it suitable for standard polite conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
kono kotoba wa douiu imi desu ka
Did you know?
- Due to the social custom of 空気をお読む (kuuki wo yomu) or 'reading the air', Japanese speakers sometimes avoid asking this question to prevent the speaker from feeling they were unclear.
- In Japanese, the word for 'meaning' 意味 (imi) is used in the phrase 意味がない (imi ga nai) to describe something as 'pointless' or 'useless'.
- Depending on the kanji chosen for ことば (kotoba), the word can specifically refer to spoken sounds or written symbols while remaining pronounced the same.
Examples in context
- この言葉はどういう意味ですか。What does this word mean?This sentence is useful for asking what a specific word means.Tatoeba #222064 by mookeee, translation #48085 by CK
- この本の中にある「愛」という言葉の意味を教えてください。Please teach me the meaning of the word '愛' that is in this book.
- この記事で使われている「理解」って言葉の意味がわからないんですけど。I don't understand the meaning of the word '理解' used in this article.
- あのドラマのセリフで出てきた「勇気」という単語の意味を教えて。Please tell me the meaning of the word '勇気' that appeared in that drama's dialogue.
- すみません、この言葉はどういう意味ですか。Sumimasen, kono kotoba wa dou iu imi desu ka.Excuse me, what does this word mean?
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are studying Japanese together.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さん、この言葉はどういう意味ですか。Misaki-san, kono kotoba wa dou iu imi desu ka.Misaki, what does this word mean?
- 美咲 Misakiそれは「お疲れ様」という意味ですよ。sore wa 'otsukaresama' to iu imi desu yo.That means 'good work'.
- 陽太 Yotaなるほど。ありがとうございます。naruhodo. arigatou gozaimasu.I see. Thank you very much.
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、どういたしまして。ie, douitashimashite.No, you're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
