Japanese Question Words Game

Question Words (疑問詞 - Gimonshi) - 9 Essential Words

なに / なん

nani / nan

What

これは何ですか。

Kore wa nan desu ka?

What is this?

何を食べますか。

Nani wo tabemasu ka?

What will you eat?

Note: Use "なん" (nan) before "d", "t", "n" sounds. Use "なに" (nani) in other cases.

だれ

dare

Who (casual)

あの人は誰ですか。

Ano hito wa dare desu ka?

Who is that person? (casual)

誰が来ますか。

Dare ga kimasu ka?

Who is coming?

どなた

donata

Who (polite)

あの方はどなたですか。

Ano kata wa donata desu ka?

Who is that person? (polite)

どなたからお電話ですか。

Donata kara odenwa desu ka?

Who is calling? (polite)

Politeness: Use "どなた" in formal situations, with strangers, or when showing respect. Use "だれ" with friends and family.

どこ

doko

Where

駅はどこですか。

Eki wa doko desu ka?

Where is the station?

いつ

itsu

When

いつ日本に来ましたか。

Itsu Nihon ni kimashita ka?

When did you come to Japan?

どうして / なぜ

doushite / naze

Why

どうして遅いですか。

Doushite osoi desu ka?

Why are you late?

どう

dou

How

日本語はどうですか。

Nihongo wa dou desu ka?

How is Japanese?

いくら

ikura

How much

これはいくらですか。

Kore wa ikura desu ka?

How much is this?

どれ

dore

Which one

どれがあなたのペンですか。

Dore ga anata no pen desu ka?

Which one is your pen?

Practice Conversations

🏪 At a Shop

A: これは何ですか。

A: Kore wa nan desu ka?

A: What is this?

B: それは時計です。

B: Sore wa tokei desu.

B: That is a watch.

A: いくらですか。

A: Ikura desu ka?

A: How much is it?

🚉 Asking for Directions

A: すみません、銀行はどこですか。

A: Sumimasen, ginkou wa doko desu ka?

A: Excuse me, where is the bank?

B: あそこです。

B: Asoko desu.

B: It's over there.

👥 Meeting Someone

A: あの人はどなたですか。

A: Ano hito wa donata desu ka?

A: Who is that person?

B: 田中さんです。

B: Tanaka-san desu.

B: That's Mr./Ms. Tanaka.

Test Your Knowledge!

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Fill in the Question Word

📝 How to Play:

Look at each sentence and its answer. Choose the correct Japanese question word that would make sense in the blank to get that answer.

Example: If the answer is "isu desu" (it's a chair), the question word should be "nan" (what).

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🗾 Japanese Question Words