誰が聞いたの
dare ga kiita no
In Japanese, "who asked" is said as 誰が聞いたの (dare ga kiita no).
This is a rhetorical question used to tell someone that their opinion or information was not requested and is unwanted.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 誰が聞いたの is composed of 誰 (who), が (subject marker), 聞いた (past tense of 'to ask/hear') and の (explanatory particle used for questions).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 誰が聞いたの is informal and can sound quite blunt or dismissive depending on the tone. While adding ですか to create 誰が聞いたんですか makes the phrase grammatically polite, the rhetorical intent remains dismissive.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が (ga) is used instead of は (wa) to emphasize the identity of the person who (did not) ask.
How do you pronounce it?
dare ga kiita no
Did you know?
- In Japanese internet slang, the same sentiment as 誰が聞いたの is often expressed with the short phrase 誰得, which literally means 'who benefits' from this information.
- Unlike in English where 'who asked' is often a meme, using 誰が聞いたの in a real-life Japanese workplace could be seen as a serious breach of harmony and potentially a form of workplace harassment.
- Using the polite form 誰が聞いたんですか can actually make the phrase feel more sarcastic or aggressive than the informal version because the contrast between the polite grammar and the rude intent is sharper.
Examples in context
- あんたの意見なんて、誰が聞いたのよ。Anta no iken nante, dare ga kiita no yo.Who asked for your opinion anyway?
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are chatting with friends.
- 健太 Kentaこの映画は全然面白くないよ。Kono eiga wa zenzen omoshirokunai yo.This movie isn't interesting at all.
- 陽葵 Himari誰が聞いたの？Dare ga kiita no?Who asked?
- 健太 Kentaただの感想だよ。Tada no kansou da yo.It's just my opinion.
- 陽葵 Himari黙って見ててよ。Damatte mitete yo.Just watch it in silence.
