Common questions (formal)

Question 1

How can I go here?

Answer 1

ここに どうやって 行きますか？
Koko ni dou yatte ikimasu ka?

Breakdown
ここ (Koko) - Here (referring to the location on the map).
に (ni) - Particle indicating direction (to).
どうやって (dou yatte) - How (in what way).
行きます (ikimasu) - To go (polite form).
か (ka) - Question marker.

Question 2

Do you speak English?

Answer 2

英語を話せますか？ (Eigo o hanasemasu ka?)

英語 (Eigo) - English (the language).
を (o) - Particle indicating the object of the verb (English).
話せます (hanasemasu) - Can speak (polite form of the verb “to speak”).
か (ka) - Question marker.

Question 3

Is there anyone who can speak English?

Answer 3

英語が 話せる 方 は いらっしゃいます か？
Eigo ga hanaseru kata wa irasshaimasu ka?

Breakdown
英語 (Eigo) - English (the language).
が (ga) - Subject marker.
話せる (hanaseru) - Can speak (potential form).
方 (kata) - A polite way to refer to a person (more respectful than 人).
は (wa) - Topic marker.
いらっしゃいます (irasshaimasu) - A very polite form of “to exist” for people.
か (ka) - Question marker.

Question 4

Where is the bathroom?

Answer 4

トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?)

Breakdown
トイレ (Toire) - Bathroom (loanword from English).
は (wa) - Topic marker.
どこ (doko) - Where.
です (desu) - Polite copula (similar to “is”).
か (ka) - Question marker.

Question 5

Can you say it again? (formal)

Answer 5

もう一度言 って いただけますか？
Mou ichido itte itadakemasu ka?

Breakdown
もう一度 (Mou ichido) - One more time / again.
言って (itte) - To say (te-form of the verb “言う” / iu).
いただけます (itadakemasu) - A polite way to say “can you” or “may I receive.”
か (ka) - Question marker.

Question 6

Can you say it again? (casual)

Answer 6

もう一回言って。
Mou ikkai itte

Breakdown
もう一回 (Mou ikkai) - One more time / again.
言って (itte) - To say (te-form of the verb “言う” / iu).