The two questions that keep a Japanese conversation alive

The basics

A conversation can become difficult in two different places. Sometimes your partner says a word you do not understand. Sometimes you understand the conversation but cannot find a word for your own reply. These two questions give you a way to ask for help in both situations, even with a small vocabulary.

They are useful tools, not a guarantee that every exchange will be easy. Your partner might need an example, might not know the English word, or might explain something using more unfamiliar Japanese. The aim is to make the missing information clear enough that you can work on it together.

Question one: ask about incoming language

The first pattern is 「〜はどういう意味いみですか？」, read as ... wa dou iu imi desu ka? It means “What does ... mean?” Replace the opening slot with the word or expression you want explained.

「忙いそがしい」はどういう意味いみですか？ — What does “isogashii” mean?

Here, 忙いそがしい（いそがしい）means “busy.” You are mentioning the word itself, so it can go before は even though it is an adjective. The quotation marks make that distinction clear in writing; you do not pronounce them.

The particle は marks the expression you are asking about and is pronounced wa. 意味いみ（いみ）means “meaning.” Learn どういう意味いみ as a phrase first: you do not need to analyse every part before you can use the question. The ending ですか makes this a polite question suitable for an ordinary lesson or a conversation with someone you have just met.

「少すこし」はどういう意味いみですか？ — What does “sukoshi” mean?

少すこし（すこし）means “a little.” Notice that you can isolate just the unfamiliar part rather than asking your partner to explain the entire sentence. For more ways to phrase this request, see how to ask what something means in Japanese.

Question two: ask for outgoing language

The second pattern is 「〜は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？」, read as ... wa nihongo de nan desu ka? It means “What is ... in Japanese?” Use it when you know the idea but need the Japanese expression.

「library」は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — How do you say “library” in Japanese?

An answer is 図書館としょかん（としょかん）. You can put an English word in the slot if your partner understands it. Mixing an English word into this question is useful: it identifies the exact gap you want help with.

日本語にほんご（にほんご）means “Japanese,” and で identifies the language used for the expression. In 何なんですか, 何なに is read なん, so say nan desu ka. Do not assume that the same reading works in every phrase containing 何なに.

「reservation」は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — How do you say “reservation” in Japanese?

For booking a table, room, or similar service, 予約よやく（よやく）is a useful answer. A word such as “reservation” has other English meanings, however. Mentioning a restaurant or showing a booking screen helps your partner choose the right translation.

Choose the question by the gap

What is missing?	Question pattern	What you need next
The meaning of an expression you heard	〜はどういう意味いみですか？	A definition, translation, or example
A Japanese expression for your idea	〜は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？	A word or phrase that fits the situation
The name of an object you can point to	これは日本語にほんごで何なんですか？	The Japanese name of that object
The sounds your partner just said	もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。	A repetition before you ask about meaning

The last row is a supporting request, not a replacement for the two main questions. Choose it when you could not hear or recognise the expression well enough to repeat it.

Beyond the basics

Finish the repair with a response

Asking is only the first step. A useful routine is: identify the gap, listen to the answer, and use the new information in a short reply. That reply shows your partner whether the explanation helped and gives the conversation somewhere to go.

Imagine someone asks about your day:

今日きょうは忙いそがしいですか？ — Are you busy today?

You recognise 今日きょう（きょう）, “today,” but not the adjective. Ask the first question:

「忙いそがしい」はどういう意味いみですか？ — What does “isogashii” mean?

Your partner explains that it means “busy.” Now return to the original question:

はい、今日きょうは少すこし忙いそがしいです。 — Yes, I am a little busy today.

You do not need a long answer. One sentence completes the exchange more effectively than silently saving the new word and waiting for your partner to restart the conversation. If you are unsure whether you understood, try a simple example and let your partner confirm it.

The same routine works when a word is missing from your own sentence. Ask how to say “library,” listen to 図書館としょかん, and then use it:

明日あした、図書館としょかんに行いきます。 — I am going to the library tomorrow.

明日あした（あした）means “tomorrow.” You have turned the new noun into something you wanted to communicate. Your partner can now ask about your plans instead of treating the exchange as a vocabulary quiz.

Point, show, or give context

The second question does not require an English word. If the object is near you and you can indicate it clearly, use これ, “this.”

これは日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — What is this called in Japanese?

A picture, an object, or a simple gesture can help when your partner does not speak English. Make the reference clear: pointing at a whole menu may not show which item you mean. Move your finger to the relevant item or show a specific picture.

For an abstract word, a situation usually helps more than pointing. If you want the Japanese for “free,” explain whether you mean “costing nothing” or “available at a certain time.” There may be no single Japanese word that covers all the meanings of the English word.

You may also hear 「日本語にほんごで何なんと言いいますか？」, which asks how something is said in Japanese. It is another useful way to request an expression. Start with the shorter pattern if that is easier to remember, then explore alternatives in how to say something in Japanese.

When the answer is still difficult

Sometimes a definition contains another unfamiliar word. You can ask about that word, but first consider whether the difficulty is vocabulary or listening. If you missed the sounds, ask for repetition:

もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。 — One more time, please.

もう一度いちど（もういちど）means “once more.” If the speed is the problem, make that clear:

ゆっくりお願ねがいします。 — Slowly, please.

ゆっくり means “slowly” in this request. These supporting phrases help you get an answer you can actually use. There are more options in how to ask someone to repeat in Japanese.

If spoken explanations are going nowhere, writing the word down or checking a dictionary together is reasonable. Continuing a conversation does not require banning English or avoiding every tool. The important step is returning to the topic once you understand enough to respond.

Common mistakes

Asking about meaning when you did not hear the word

The first question works best when you can identify the expression. If you only caught the end of a sentence, guessing at the word may lead your partner to explain something different. Request repetition first, then quote the part you need explained.

You also do not need to interrupt every time an unfamiliar word appears. If you understood the main message and can answer, you may choose to keep going. Ask when the gap prevents understanding, changes your answer, or concerns a word you especially want to learn.

Expecting the listener to know your English word

The second question supplies a Japanese frame, but it does not make an English word understandable to every listener. If the person looks confused, offer context or show what you mean. Repeating the English word louder is unlikely to resolve a vocabulary gap.

Also avoid treating a translation as a universal replacement. A word offered for one situation may not suit another. Try a short sentence with it and check whether it expresses what you intended.

Rushing the question or dropping all politeness

You do not have to speak fast. Clear pronunciation at a manageable pace gives your partner a better chance of understanding the expression you are asking about. Keep the polite ending while you are learning these patterns.

A brief すみません is also perfectly reasonable when you need to interrupt or attract attention. It can function as “excuse me,” rather than a serious apology. Long apologies are optional; a short opener and a clear question usually give the listener enough information.

すみません。「予約よやく」はどういう意味いみですか？ — Excuse me. What does “yoyaku” mean?

Stopping after the explanation

A nod may acknowledge the answer, but it does not always show whether you understood. Repeat the useful word once, answer the original question, or make a small sentence. Choose one of those actions instead of feeling that you need to deliver a perfect explanation of the new vocabulary.

For example, after learning 予約よやく, you could say:

予約よやくがあります。 — I have a reservation.

That response is short, relevant, and useful at a restaurant or reception desk. It turns the explanation into part of the interaction.

Practice

Say your answer aloud before opening each answer box. The goal is choosing the right question and continuing the exchange, rather than translating every word mechanically. For the open response, the answer shown is one possible reply.

1. You heard 忙いそがしい clearly but do not know its meaning. Ask a polite question about that word.

Show answer

「忙いそがしい」はどういう意味いみですか？ — What does “isogashii” mean? Use the meaning question because the unfamiliar Japanese expression is already available.

2. You want to say “library,” and your partner understands English. Ask for the Japanese word.

Show answer

「library」は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — How do you say “library” in Japanese? You need an expression for something you want to communicate.

3. Fill the blank with the language particle: 「reservation」は日本語にほんご___何なんですか？

Show answer

で. 「reservation」は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — How do you say “reservation” in Japanese? Here, で marks the language in which you want the expression.

4. You are pointing to an unfamiliar object near you. Ask what it is called in Japanese without using an English noun.

Show answer

これは日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — What is this called in Japanese? Make sure your partner can see which object これ refers to.

5. Your partner explains that 忙いそがしい means “busy.” Answer their original question about today by saying you are a little busy.

Show answer

はい、今日きょうは少すこし忙いそがしいです。 — Yes, I am a little busy today. Reusing the adjective returns the exchange to the original topic.

6. You could not hear the expression clearly enough to repeat it. Ask your partner to say it again.

Show answer

もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。 — One more time, please. Get the sounds first; ask about their meaning afterward if necessary.

7. How do you pronounce は and 何なに in 「これは日本語にほんごで何なんですか？」?

Show answer

は is pronounced wa, and 何なに is read nan here: kore wa nihongo de nan desu ka? These readings belong to this particular sentence pattern.

8. After learning 図書館としょかん, say that you are going to the library tomorrow.

Show answer

明日あした、図書館としょかんに行いきます。 — I am going to the library tomorrow. Use the new word in the message you originally wanted to express.

9. Your partner does not understand the English word “reservation.” What could you do before asking the Japanese expression again?

Show answer

Show a restaurant booking screen or explain that you arranged a table in advance. Context helps establish the intended meaning; repeating the isolated English word may not help.

For guided speaking practice, bring these two questions to a lesson: Book a trial lesson · $13, and use the Japanese practice exercises to review beginner patterns beforehand.

FAQ

Can I use these questions as a complete beginner? Yes. Memorise each question as a reusable phrase and put a word in the opening slot. You can start using them before you understand all the grammar. Keep a written prompt nearby if remembering the whole sentence takes effort.

Is it okay to put English inside a Japanese question? Yes, when your partner understands the English expression. The English identifies the word you need, while the Japanese question explains your request. If you do not share that vocabulary, use an object, a picture, or context instead.

Do I have to apologise before asking? No lengthy apology is necessary. A brief すみません can be useful when interrupting, especially with someone you do not know. In an ongoing lesson, the polite question alone will often be enough. Choose based on the interaction rather than following a rule that apologies are always wrong.

What if I still cannot understand the answer? Ask for repetition or slower speech, then identify the remaining unfamiliar word. A written word, simple example, or dictionary lookup may help. You can return to the original topic after checking; there is no requirement to solve every gap through Japanese speech alone.

Will these two questions keep every conversation going? No. They address two common vocabulary problems, but your partner may be busy or unable to explain. Treat them as ways to request help, not as a promise of an instant answer. When help is available, reuse the answer in a relevant sentence to make the next turn easier.

Vocabulary from this article

These words all appeared above. Learn them with the example situations rather than as isolated English equivalents.

Japanese	Reading	Meaning in this article
意味いみ	いみ	meaning
日本語にほんご	にほんご	Japanese language
忙いそがしい	いそがしい	busy
少すこし	すこし	a little
今日きょう	きょう	today
明日あした	あした	tomorrow
図書館としょかん	としょかん	library
予約よやく	よやく	reservation; booking
もう一度いちど	もういちど	once more
ゆっくり	ゆっくり	slowly

Copyable vocabulary for Anki, with a tab between the word, reading, and meaning:

意味	いみ	meaning
日本語	にほんご	Japanese language
忙しい	いそがしい	busy
少し	すこし	a little
今日	きょう	today
明日	あした	tomorrow
図書館	としょかん	library
予約	よやく	reservation; booking
もう一度	もういちど	once more
ゆっくり	ゆっくり	slowly

Sources

• The Japan Foundation, Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan, Starter, Lesson 2. Beginner material on communicating a lack of understanding, requesting repetition, and asking for Japanese names.
• Banno, Eri, et al. GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese I, third edition. The Japan Times Publishing. Reference for elementary question patterns, polite sentences, and basic particles.

The example conversations and practice questions in this article are original teaching examples, not quotations from these sources.

〜は どういう いみですか？ What does 〜 mean?

〜は 日本語にほんごで なんですか？ How do you say 〜 in Japanese?

わたしは、最初さいしょのレッスンで、他ほかの何なによりも先さきに、この2つを生徒せいとのノートのいちばん上うえに書かきます。むずかしいことばだからではありません。むしろ初級しょきゅう文法ぶんぽうです。でも、会話かいわが 自分じぶんで自分じぶんを立て直たてなおす ための道具どうぐは、この2つしかないからです。

会話かいわが止とまってしまう本当ほんとうの理由りゆう

多おおくの人ひとは、語彙ごいが足たりないから話はなせなくなると思おもっています。でも、実際じっさいはそうではないことが多おおいです。

本当ほんとうに起おきているのはこうです。知しらないことばに出会であって、どうするか決きめているあいだに、会話かいわが止とまってしまいます。辞書じしょに手てをのばせば、その場ばから離はなれてしまいます。分わかったふりでうなずけば、次つぎの文ぶんが不安定ふあんていな足場あしばの上うえに乗のってしまいます。どちらにしても、会話かいわは止とまります。

ネイティブでも、知しらないことばには出会であいます。ちがうのは、そこで止とまらないことです。聞きいて、3秒びょうで答こたえをもらって、そのまま続つづけます。

この2つの文ぶんは、あなたにもそれを可能かのうにしてくれます。

使い方つかいかた

相手あいての話はなしを聞きき取とれなかったとき:

わたし: 今日きょうは いそがしいですか？ ？あなた: いそがしい は どういう いみですか？ わたし: Busy。いそがしい＝busy。 あなた: ああ、はい、すこし いそがしいです。

4秒びょうです。会話かいわは一度いちども日本語にほんごから外はずれませんでした。

言いいたいことは分わかっていて、ことばが分わからないとき:

あなた: "7:30" は 日本語にほんごで なんですか？ わたし: しちじ さんじゅっぷん。 あなた: しちじ さんじゅっぷんです！

これは見た目みため以上いじょうに大事だいじです。語彙ごいのすきまが、英語えいごに切きりかえて静しずかにあきらめる瞬間しゅんかんではなく、日本語にほんごのまま 質問しつもんできる瞬間しゅんかんに変かわるからです。

みんなが間違まちがえるところ

早はやく、あやまらずに言いってください。 多おおくの学習者がくしゅうしゃは、この質問しつもんをあやまりことばの中なかにうずめてしまいます。「すみません、あの、ちょっと、わからないんですけど…」。そうやっているうちに、勢いきおいがなくなってしまいます。

知しらないことばがあっても、あやまる必要ひつようはありません。だれでも知しらないことばはあります。まっすぐ聞きいて、答こたえをもらって、次つぎに進すすんでください。

はじめてのレッスンで試ためしてみてください

最初さいしょの2分ふん以内いないに、わたしはわざと知しらないことばを使つかいます。それは、質問しつもんの練習れんしゅうをするのに、いちばん安全あんぜんな場面ばめんだからです。

この2つの文ぶんを持もってきてください。それが、最初さいしょのレッスンでの唯一ゆいいつの宿題しゅくだいです。