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How to say “what does this mean” in Japanese

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what does this mean

Japanese · 日本語

polite

Translation

これはどういう意味ですか

Romanization

Kore wa dou iu imi desu ka

Pronunciation

koh-reh wah doh yoo ee-mee dess kah

When to use it

Use this in everyday conversation. These phrases are generally safe for work, travel, and casual interactions. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.

Example

これはどういう意味ですか — a natural sentence for ordinary conversation for "what does this mean".

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FAQ

Common questions

How do you say "what does this mean" in Japanese?+

You say "これはどういう意味ですか" in Japanese. The romanized form is "Kore wa dou iu imi desu ka", and a simple pronunciation cue is "koh-reh wah doh yoo ee-mee dess kah".

Is this phrase formal or casual?+

This entry is marked as polite. The usage note explains when the phrase is appropriate and when you should soften it.

How do you pronounce it?+

Use "koh-reh wah doh yoo ee-mee dess kah" as a learner-friendly pronunciation cue. The romanization is "Kore wa dou iu imi desu ka".

When should I use it?+

Use this in everyday conversation. These phrases are generally safe for work, travel, and casual interactions. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.