Japanese Language Sentence Structure 3: Question Sentences – Subject は Noun ですか
Asking questions is a fundamental skill in communication, and the pattern “ は ですか” makes it easy to do so in Japanese. This structure is highly flexible and perfect for asking about personal details, professions, age, or nationality.
Part 1: Vocabulary List
| Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| あの | あの | ano | Um… |
| 人 | ひと | hito | Person |
| 誰 | だれ | dare | Who |
| -才 | -さい | -sai | Age (years old) |
| 名前 | なまえ | namae | Name |
| 病院 | びょういん | byooin | Hospital |
| 出身 | しゅっしん | shusshin | Hometown/Origin |
Part 2: Explanation of the Sentence Pattern
Pattern Structure:
は ですか？
- Ka (か): The question particle that marks the sentence as a question.
- Desu (です): Adds politeness and formality to the sentence.
Notes:
- In casual situations, the ka particle can be omitted and replaced with a rising intonation at the end of the sentence.
- This pattern is ideal for asking basic information like identity, occupation, or someone’s origin.
Example Usage:
- Anata wa gakusei desuka?
(Are you a student?) - Ano hito wa isha desuka?
(Is that person a doctor?)
Part 3: Example Sentences
-
あなたは学生ですか？
Anata wa gakusei desuka?
Are you a student? -
あの人は医者ですか？
Ano hito wa isha desuka?
Is that person a doctor? -
お名前は何ですか？
O-namae wa nan desuka?
What is your name? -
田中さんは日本人ですか？
Tanaka-san wa Nihonjin desuka?
Is Tanaka-san Japanese? -
この建物は病院ですか？
Kono tatemono wa byooin desuka?
Is this building a hospital?
Part 4: Practice Exercises
- Write a question in Japanese that means, “Is she a doctor?”
- Create a sentence to ask, “What is the name of your hometown?”
Conclusion
The pattern “ は ですか” is a cornerstone of polite questioning in Japanese. Mastering this pattern allows you to ask a wide variety of questions easily, from personal information to professional roles. With regular practice, you’ll develop the ability to ask questions naturally and confidently. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature!
