When learning Japanese, asking questions is an essential skill. In this post, we’ll explore the basic Japanese question words (疑問詞 gimonshi) such as who, which, where, why, and others. I’ll also give simple example sentences to help you practice.
I think you should know some before you jump into this post :
Who — 誰 (だれ – dare)
This is used when you want to know about a person.
Example:
- これは誰ですか？
(Kore wa dare desu ka?)
— Who is this?
Which — どれ / どの (dore / dono)
- どれ is used when choosing from a group without specifying a noun.
- どの is used before a noun.
Examples:
- どれがあなたのかばんですか？
(Dore ga anata no kaban desu ka?)
— Which one is your bag? - どの本が好きですか？
(Dono hon ga suki desu ka?)
— Which book do you like?
Where — どこ (doko)
Used for asking about locations.
Example:
- トイレはどこですか？
(Toire wa doko desu ka?)
— Where is the bathroom?
Why — なぜ / どうして / なんで (naze / doushite / nande)
All can mean “why”, with slight nuance differences.
Example:
- なぜ日本語を勉強しますか？
(Naze nihongo o benkyou shimasu ka?)
— Why do you study Japanese? - どうして来なかったの？
(Doushite konakatta no?)
— Why didn’t you come?
Let’s break down the difference between なぜ (naze), どうして (doushite), and なんで (nande):
| Word | Formality | Usage | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| なぜ | Most formal | Written language, formal speech, academic or serious situations | Logical, neutral |
| どうして | Neutral (standard polite) | Everyday conversation, polite speech, all-purpose “why” | Curious, friendly |
| なんで | Casual | Informal conversation, friends, family | Casual, sometimes a bit emotional or blunt |
1. なぜ (naze)
- Formal, logical, often seen in writing or news.
- Used in academic discussions, speeches, and more “serious” situations.
Example:
なぜ地球は回っているのですか？
(Naze chikyuu wa mawatte iru no desu ka?)
— Why does the Earth rotate?
2. どうして (doushite)
- Most common in daily conversation.
- Can be used in both polite and casual situations.
- Sounds natural in almost any context.
Example:
どうして遅れたんですか？
(Doushite okuretan desu ka?)
— Why were you late?
3. なんで (nande)
- Very casual, often used among friends.
- Sometimes feels a bit more emotional or blunt depending on tone.
- Avoid using with people you need to be polite to.
Example:
なんで来なかったの？
(Nande konakatta no?)
— Why didn’t you come?
Quick Tip for Learners
- If you’re not sure: use どうして — it’s the safest choice.
- Use なぜ when writing essays, reports, or talking formally.
- Use なんで when chatting with close friends.
What — 何 (なに – nani)
For asking about things.
Example:
- 何を食べますか？
(Nani o tabemasu ka?)
— What will you eat?
When — いつ (itsu)
For asking about time.
Example:
- いつ日本に行きますか？
(Itsu Nihon ni ikimasu ka?)
— When are you going to Japan?
How — どう (dou)
For asking about manner or condition.
Example:
- 日本語の勉強はどうですか？
(Nihongo no benkyou wa dou desu ka?)
— How is your Japanese study?
Summary
| English | Japanese | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who | 誰 (だれ) | これは誰ですか？ |
| Which | どれ / どの | どの本が好きですか？ |
| Where | どこ | トイレはどこですか？ |
| Why | なぜ / どうして / なんで | なぜ勉強しますか？ |
| What | 何 (なに) | 何を食べますか？ |
| When | いつ | いつ行きますか？ |
| How | どう | 勉強はどうですか？ |
By practicing these basic question words, you can start having simple conversations in Japanese. Try making your own sentences and ask your Japanese friends to correct them. You’ll be surprised how fast you improve!
Now, let’s practice more with YouTube video
