Instead of focusing on a new particle in each lesson, it shall go topical.
And today's topic is "Question Words", the 5'W's and 1'H'.
A brief overview of the question words and their translations:
- What - なに/ なん
- Where - どこ
- When － いつ
- Why - どうして
- Who - だれ
- Which - どちら
- How - どうやって/ どう
The examples of how each question word is used.
*Do note that the question will end with 'か' for all questions in polite form.
What
1. What is your name?
お名前は何ですか？
oname wa nan desu ka?
2. What happened over here?
何がおこった？
nani ga okotta?
Where
1. Where were you just now?
あなたはさっきどこにいましたか？
anata wa sakki doko ni imashita ka?
2. Where is the toilet?
お手洗いはどこですか？
otearai wa doko desu ka?
When
1. When is your birthday?
お誕生日はいつですか？
otanjoubi wa itsu desu ka?
Why
1. Why are you studying Japanese?
どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか？
doshite nihongo o benkyou shiteirun desu ka?
Who
1. Who are you looking for?
(Direct translation of the Japanese phrase: Who do you want to see?)
誰に会いたいのですか？
dare ni aitai no desu ka?
2. Who is that lady?
あの女の人は誰ですか？
ano onna no hito wa dare desu ka?
Which
1. Which way leads to the library?
図書館はどちらですか？
toshokan wa dochira desu ka?
2. Which do you prefer, beef or pork?
牛肉と豚肉のどちらが好きですか？
gyuu niku to buta niku no dochira ga suki desu ka?
How
1. How did he come?
彼はどうやって来ましたか？
kare wa douyatte kimashita ka?
2. How about another cup of coffee?
コーヒーをもう一杯どうですか？
koohii o mou ihhai dou desu ka?
