それは何ですか？
sore wa nan desu ka?
The English phrase "what is it?" is expressed in Japanese as それは何ですか？ (sore wa nan desu ka?)
This phrase is used to ask for the identity or name of an object.
Which one should you use?
While それは何ですか？ (sore wa nan desu ka?) asks what an object is, you should use あれは何ですか？ (are wa nan desu ka?) if the object is far from both the speaker and the listener. If you want to ask specifically about the functionality, nature or characteristics of something, use どういうものですか. If you are specifically looking for the name of something, use 何というものですか.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a standard polite way to ask this question to strangers or superiors, use それは何ですか？ In formal settings, you can also use the straightforward 何ですか？ If you are speaking casually with friends or family, you can use the informal 何 or the very informal 何？ When expressing a sense of uncertainty, the informal なんだろう is used.
How do you pronounce it?
sore wa nan desu ka?
Did you know?
- While 何 (nan/nani) means 'what', repeating it as 何々 (nani nani) is a common way to indicate a placeholder for a name or a specific word in a sentence, similar to saying 'so-and-so' in English.
- In historical Japanese, the way one asked what is it? varied significantly based on the social caste of the person being addressed, using entirely different sets of pronouns and verbs.
- The word 何 (nan) is used in the phrase 何しろ to mean 'after all' or 'anyway', having nothing to do with asking a question.
Examples in context
- これは何ですか？What is this?
- その建物はどういうものですか？What kind of building is that?
- この花は何というものですか？What is this flower called?
- それ、何？What's that?
- このボタンは何だろう？I wonder what this button is?
- それは何ですか？Sore wa nan desu ka?What is that?
Example conversation
Misaki sees Kenta holding a strange-looking fruit.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、それは何ですか？Kenta-san, sore wa nan desu ka?Kenta, what is that?
- 健太 Kentaこれはマンゴーです。Kore wa mangoo desu.This is a mango.
- 美咲 Misaki美味しそうですね！Oishisou desu ne!It looks delicious!
- 健太 Kentaはい、とても甘いです。Hai, totemo amai desu.Yes, it is very sweet.
