Can you ask questions? – How to continue asking questions in Japanese

Have you ever been in a situation where you found yourself unable to maintain a conversation with a Japanese person? No matter what level of Japanese-speaking ability you may possess, this is a problem you are bound to encounter more than once. Delivering an appropriate comment, paraphrasing or rephrasing, expressing agreement, and repeating—holding down a conversation requires a variety of skills, but one of the most important is “to continue asking questions.”

We will introduce appropriate ways of asking questions (to fit certain situations) in the form of a quiz. We will present different ways of questioning that would be expected at various levels of language skills. But of course, there is more than one way to ask a question. If you want to ask us questions (such as: “Can I ask a question in this way?” “How about this manner of expression?”) please send us an email to info@cotoclub.com.

We’re looking forward to seeing you challenge yourselves!

Now then, here are the 2 subjects for today.

What would be the appropriate question to the following answers?

1)（私は）日本語の先生です。

(I am) a Japanese language teacher.

(Watashi wa) Nihongo no sensei desu.

The situation: You have met someone at a party hosted by a mutual acquaintance, and are exchanging simple greetings and asking information about each other.

Answer:

Beginner

お仕事は？(o shigoto wa?)　

仕事は何ですか？（shigoto wa nan desuka?)

Intermediate

お仕事は何をしてるんですか？(oshigoto wa nani o shiteru n desuka?)

Expert

どういった（関係の）お仕事を（なさってるんですか）？(dou itta kankei no oshigoto o nasatteru n desuka?)

2)（私は）赤ワインにします。

(I will order) red wine.

(watashi wa aka wine ni shimasu.)

The situation: You are at a dinner party with colleagues from the office.

Answer:

Beginner

何を飲みますか？(nani o nomimasu ka?)

Intermediate

飲み物は、何にしますか。(nomimono wa nan ni shimasu ka?)

Expert

飲み物、決まりましたか。(nomimono kimarimashita ka?)　

何（を）飲むか、決めましたか。(nani o nomu ka kimemashita ka?)

If you want to ask us questions (such as: “Can I ask a question in this way?” “How about this manner of expression?”) , please send us an email to info@cotoclub.com.