Day 2:

Ask a Simple Question

15mins

3min

Scroll’n Learn

Have you ever wanted to ask someone a simple question in Japanese, but not known how to turn a statement into a question? Today, you’ll learn how to use か to ask simple questions about people and everyday situations.

Today's Goal

Ask simple yes-or-no questions.
Ask someone about their job, identity, or condition.
Understand and respond to basic questions.

1. Listen

0:00/0:00

Read the script in Hiragana

田中：こんにちは
Hello.

さくら：こんにちは
Hello.

田中：がくせいですか？
Are you a student?

さくら：いいえ、しゃかいじんです。
No, I’m a working adult.

田中：すみません。
Excuse me.

さくら：おなまえはなんですか？
What is your name?

田中：たなかです。
My name is Tanaka.

さくら：がくせいですか？
Are you a student?

田中：はい、がくせいです。
Yes, I’m a student.

Read the script in Romaji

Tanaka: Konnichiwa
Hello.

Sakura: Konnichiwa
Hello.

Tanaka: Gakusei desu ka?
Are you a student?

Sakura: iie, shakaijin desu.
No, I’m a working adult.

Tanaka: Sumimasen.
Excuse me.

Sakura: O-namae wa nan desu ka?
What is your name?

Tanaka: Tanaka desu.
My name is Tanaka.

Sakura: Gakusei desu ka?
Are you a student?

Tanaka: Hai, gakusei desu.
Yes, I’m a student.

2. Understand

か (Ka)

What does it do?

Put か at the end of a sentence to turn it into a simple question.

The basic structure stays the same; か tells the listener that you are asking.

For Example...

先生ですか
せんせいですか
Are you a teacher?

Pattern

Statement + か？

3. Practice

The sentences below are example sentences combining new words of the day and the skills we learnt up till now.

先生ですか
せんせいですか
Are you a teacher?

会社員ですか
かいしゃいんですか
Are you a company employee?

日本人ですか
にほんじんですか
Are you Japanese?

友達は元気ですか
ともだちはげんきですか
Is your friend well?

学生ですか
がくせいですか
Are you a student?

4. Recall

5. Immerse

Listen to the script below. It only uses words you’ve learned so far. Then, try recording yourself repeating it to practice your speaking and pronunciation.

Your recording is never saved or stored anywhere as it’s only for your practice.