目錄
Japanese question words such as 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 look easy to memorize, but once you actually put them into sentences, it is often the small details that cause confusion. For example, 「何」 is sometimes read as 「なに」 and sometimes as 「なん」. Expressions that can all be translated as 「怎麼」 in Chinese also have to be distinguished in Japanese as 「どう」「どうやって」「どうして」.
When deciding which one to use, first identify whether you are asking about a person, thing, place, time, impression, method, or reason, and then choose the particle required by the sentence. Forms such as 「誰と」「何を」「どこで」「いつから」 all develop from the same group of question words by adding what comes after them. If you first separate what each question word is responsible for asking, it becomes much easier to choose the right form when actually making sentences.
How Do 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 Connect in Japanese? What Particles Come After Them?
Although 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 are all question words, they do not connect to the rest of a sentence in exactly the same way. 「誰」「何」「どこ」 often take particles such as 「が／を／に／で／と」 depending on which element is missing from the sentence, as in 「誰と」「何を」「どこで」. 「いつ」 can be placed directly into a sentence to ask about time, and it is also commonly combined with 「から／まで」. 「どう」 is different from noun-type question words in that it does not freely take a wide range of particles. Instead, it commonly connects directly with forms such as 「ですか」「しますか」「思いますか」.
In addition, 「何」 requires you to deal with the pronunciation difference between 「なに／なん」, while 「どう」 is easily confused with the related expressions 「どうやって」 and 「どうして」. For that reason, it is not enough to memorize only “question word + particle.” You also need to look at what information the question word is asking for in the sentence.
| Question word | Common patterns | Examples | Main information asked |
| 「誰」 | 誰＋が／を／に／と／の | 誰が、誰に、誰と、誰の | Person, identity |
| 「何」 | 何＋が／を／に／で／の | 何が、何を、何で、何の | Thing, content, material, means |
| 「どこ」 | どこ＋に／で／へ／から／まで | どこに、どこで、どこから | Place, destination, location of an action |
| 「いつ」 | いつ＋から／まで／ごろ, etc., or directly in a sentence | いつ行く、いつから、いつまで | Time, date, period |
| 「どう」 | どう＋ですか／しますか／思いますか, etc. | どうですか、どうしますか | State, impression, evaluation, way of handling something |
| 「どうやって」 | どうやって＋verb | どうやって行きますか | Method, means |
| 「どうして」 | どうして＋sentence | どうして行かないんですか | Reason, cause |
「誰・何・どこ」 Connection ①｜The Particle Depends on the Role the Word Plays in the Sentence
「誰」「何」「どこ」 themselves only determine what type of information is missing. Once they are actually placed in a sentence, you also have to look at which particle the verb requires. In 「誰と行きますか」, 「と」 marks the person you go with. In 「何を食べますか」, 「を」 marks what is eaten. In 「どこで食べますか」, 「で」 marks the place where the action of eating takes place.
This means the same question word can take different particles, and the meaning changes accordingly. For example, 「誰が」 asks for the subject of the action, 「誰に」 asks for the person toward whom the action is directed, and 「誰と」 asks for the person who does something together with someone else. 「どこに」 and 「どこで」 are also not interchangeable. The former is commonly associated with existence or a destination of movement, while the latter mainly marks the place where an action occurs.
- Example: 誰と日本へ行きますか。
Kana: だれとにほんへいきますか。
Translation: Who are you going to Japan with?
「と」 follows 「誰」 to ask about the person going to Japan together with you. If it is changed to 「誰が日本へ行きますか」, the question becomes “Who is going to Japan?” - Example: 昼ご飯は何を食べますか。
Kana: ひるごはんはなにをたべますか。
Translation: What are you going to eat for lunch?
The content of 「食べる」 is marked with 「を」, so 「何を」 is used. Here, 「何」 is read as 「なに」. - Example: このお土産はどこで買いましたか。
Kana: このおみやげはどこでかいましたか。
Translation: Where did you buy this souvenir?
Buying something is an action that takes place somewhere, so 「どこで」 is used. If you are asking where someone is going, it becomes 「どこに行きますか」 or 「どこへ行きますか」.
「何」 Connection ②｜It Is Often Read as 「なに」 Before Particles and 「なん」 Before 「です」 or Quantity Expressions
The difficult part of 「何」 is not the particle itself, but the fact that its pronunciation changes depending on what follows. 「何を」「何が」「何に」 are usually read with 「なに」, as in 「何を食べますか」「何がありますか」. When followed by 「です」, however, it is pronounced 「何ですか（なんですか）」.
「なん」 is also widely used before expressions of time, quantity, and counters, such as 「何時（なんじ）」「何人（なんにん）」「何本（なんぼん）」「何歳（なんさい）」. However, this does not mean that every combination of 「何＋noun」 is read as 「なん」. Expressions such as 「何語（なにご）」 and 「何色（なにいろ）」 still use 「なに」. With these fixed combinations, it is more reliable to memorize the pronunciation together with the expression rather than trying to judge only from the word that follows.
- Example: 今、何をしていますか。
Kana: いま、なにをしていますか。
Translation: What are you doing now?
「何を」 is normally read as 「なにを」. Here, it asks about the content of the action currently in progress. - Example: これは何ですか。
Kana: これはなんですか。
Translation: What is this?
「何ですか」 is conventionally read as 「なんですか」 and not 「なにですか」 in an ordinary standard question. - Example: 今、何時ですか。
Kana: いま、なんじですか。
Translation: What time is it now?
「何時」 is read as 「なんじ」, a common pronunciation when 「何」 is combined with a time expression.
「いつ」 Connection ③｜It Can Be Used Directly in a Sentence, and 「いつに」 Is Usually Not Used This Way
「いつ」 differs somewhat from 「誰」 and 「どこ」. When asking generally about time, it is often placed directly in the sentence without first adding 「に」. This is why you say 「いつ日本へ行きますか」「いつ帰りますか」 rather than, in ordinary situations, 「いつに行きますか」.
The reason is that 「いつ」 is already an indefinite time question word. By contrast, specific dates or points in time can often take 「に」, as in 「7月10日に行きます」「3時に会います」. When asking about the beginning or end of a period, 「いつから」「いつまで」 are very common.
- Example: いつ日本へ行きますか。
Kana: いつにほんへいきますか。
Translation: When are you going to Japan?
When asking generally “when,” 「いつ」 is placed directly into the sentence and does not need to become 「いつに」. - Example: 夏休みはいつからですか。
Kana: なつやすみはいつからですか。
Translation: When does summer vacation start?
「から」 marks a starting point in time, so 「いつから」 asks when something begins. To ask when it ends, 「いつまで」 can be used. - Example: 次の旅行はいつですか。
Kana: つぎのりょこうはいつですか。
Translation: When is your next trip?
「いつですか」 can directly ask about the date or period of an event, and the answer does not necessarily have to specify an exact clock time.
「どう」 Connection ④｜「どうですか」 and 「どうしますか」 Cannot Simply Be Treated as the Same Kind of “How”
Unlike 「誰」「何」「どこ」, 「どう」 does not mainly change its role by taking different particles. Instead, it is often understood together with the predicate that follows. 「どうですか」 commonly asks about a state, impression, or evaluation. 「どうしますか」 asks what someone plans to do, how something should be handled, or which option to choose. 「どう思いますか」 asks what someone thinks about something.
If the question specifically asks about a method or means, 「どうやって＋verb」 is normally used. If the intention is to ask for a reason, 「どうして＋sentence」 is used instead. All three may be translated as 「怎麼」 in Chinese, but they connect differently and expect different kinds of answers.
- Example: 新しい仕事はどうですか。
Kana: あたらしいしごとはどうですか。
Translation: How is your new job?
「どうですか」 asks about the person’s feelings, situation, or evaluation of the new job. Answers could include 「忙しいです」 or 「楽しいです」. - Example: ホテルまでどうやって行きますか。
Kana: ホテルまでどうやっていきますか。
Translation: How do you get to the hotel?
「どうやって」 is followed by the verb 「行く」 and clearly asks about a method or means of transportation. Possible answers include taking the subway, walking, or taking a taxi. - Example: どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか。
Kana: どうしてにほんごをべんきょうしているんですか。
Translation: Why are you studying Japanese?
「どうして」 appears at the beginning of the sentence to ask for a reason. The answer will typically give a reason, often with a form such as 「〜からです」, rather than explain a study method.
How to Use 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 in Japanese: A Summary of the Five Question Words
How to Use 「誰」｜Use It When You Do Not Know Which Person It Is
「誰」 is the question word used for people. You attach whatever particle the sentence requires directly after 「誰」, as in 「誰が」「誰と」「誰に」. In more formal situations or when a higher level of politeness is needed, 「どなた」 is commonly used instead.
- Example: どなたが新しい先生ですか。
Kana: どなたがあたらしいせんせいですか。
Translation: Which person is the new teacher?
「どなた」 is a more polite version of 「誰」 and is more appropriate than directly asking 「誰ですか」 in formal situations. - Example: これは誰のかばんですか。
Kana: これはだれのかばんですか。
Translation: Whose bag is this?
「誰の＋noun」 is used to ask about the owner.
When 「か」「も」「でも」 are added after 「誰」, the meaning also changes. 「誰か」 means someone, 「誰も＋negative」 means no one, and 「誰でも」 means anyone. This pattern can also be extended by looking at how Japanese 「何か／誰か／どこか」 are used.
How to Use 「何」｜Ask About Things, Content, or Names
「何」 asks “what” and has two pronunciations, 「なに」 and 「なん」. The difference between 「なに」 and 「なん」 is not arbitrary; it is affected by what follows. 「何を」「何が」 are usually read with 「なに」, while 「何ですか」 is read as 「なんですか」. 「なん」 is also often used with time expressions or counters, such as 「何時（なんじ）」「何人（なんにん）」「何本（なんぼん）」. However, not every 「何＋noun」 combination uses 「なん」. 「何語（なにご）」 and 「何色（なにいろ）」 are still read with 「なに」. Memorizing common combinations together with their pronunciation is usually the easiest approach.
- Example: 好きな食べ物は何ですか。
Kana: すきなたべものはなんですか。
Translation: What is your favorite food?
The 「何」 in 「何ですか」 is read as 「なん」. - Example: 田中さんは今、何をしていますか。
Kana: たなかさんはいま、なにをしていますか。
Translation: What is Mr./Ms.
Tanaka doing now?
The 「何」 in 「何を」 is read as 「なに」 and asks about the content of the action.
How to Use 「どこ」｜Use It When You Do Not Know the Place or Location
「どこ」 specifically asks about a place. The common pattern 「Nはどこですか」 can directly ask where a restroom, station, counter, or other place is. When 「に／で」 are added, you need to look at the verb in the sentence. 「どこに」 often asks about a location of existence or a destination, while 「どこで」 asks where an action takes place.
- Example: 郵便局はどこですか。
Kana: ゆうびんきょくはどこですか。
Translation: Where is the post office?
The pattern 「Nはどこですか」 directly asks for a location. - Example: どこで買ったらいいですか。
Kana: どこでかったらいいですか。
Translation: Where should I buy it?
Buying is an action, so 「で」 marks the place where that action takes place.
「どこ」 also belongs to the 「こ・そ・あ・ど」 system. It becomes easier to understand when learned together with 「ここ／そこ／あそこ」, and you can also compare it with the Japanese place demonstratives 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」.
How to Use 「いつ」｜Ask About Dates, Times, or Periods
「いつ」 asks about time broadly and does not require the answer to be an exact clock time. The answer can be 「明日」「来週」「夏休み」 or a specific date. If you need to ask precisely what time it is, use 「何時（なんじ）」 instead. This is the most basic division between 「いつ」 and 「何時」.
- Example: それはいつの新聞ですか。
Kana: それはいつのしんぶんですか。
Translation: When is that newspaper from?
「いつの＋noun」 can ask for time-related information about a noun. - Example: お祭りはいつですか。
Kana: おまつりはいつですか。
Translation: When is the festival?
The answer may be a date or general period and does not have to give an exact time.
If the question is about “what time” or “what minute,” or whether 「に」 should follow 「いつ」, you can also compare the differences between Japanese 「いつ」「何時」「何分」 and how Japanese time question words are distinguished.
How to Use 「どう」｜Ask About a State or Impression, and Extend It to Ways of Doing Things
「どう」 has a broader range than the previous four question words. The common 「どうですか」 asks “how is it?” and can be used for impressions, conditions, or evaluations. When you specifically want to ask “how do you do it?” or “by what method?”, 「どうやって」 is clearer. 「どうして」, on the other hand, asks for a reason and is close to Chinese 「為什麼」. It cannot simply be interchanged with 「どうやって」.
- Example: 日本での生活はどうですか。
Kana: にほんでのせいかつはどうですか。
Translation: How is life in Japan?
Here, 「どう」 asks about an impression or condition. - Example: うちからホテルまでどうやって行きますか。
Kana: うちからホテルまでどうやっていきますか。
Translation: How do you get from home to the hotel?
「どうやって」 narrows the question to a method or means of transportation.
What Is the Difference Between 「どう・どうやって・どうして」? All Three May Appear as 「怎麼」 in Chinese
When translated into Chinese, 「どう」「どうやって」「どうして」 may all appear as 「怎麼」, but what they actually ask in Japanese is different. 「どう」 is broad and can ask about a state, impression, or evaluation. It also appears in questions about choices or how to deal with something, such as “what should we do next?” 「どうやって」 focuses on a method, means, or procedure, while 「どうして」 asks why something happened. Rather than looking only at the Chinese translation, you need to ask what kind of answer the sentence is seeking: what the situation is like, what method is used, or why something happened.
| Comparison | 「どう」 | 「どうやって」 | 「どうして」 |
| Basic meaning | How is it? / What should I do? | How do you do it? / By what method? | Why? / How come? |
| Main information asked | State, impression, evaluation, choice, or handling | Method, means, procedure | Reason, cause |
| Expected answer | It is good, it is difficult, choose this, handle it this way | Take the train, book on the website, press this button | Because it is raining, because of work, because I like Japan |
| Common pattern | Nはどうですか／どうしますか | どうやって＋verb | どうして＋sentence |
| Asking about transportation | Not necessarily clear when used alone | Very suitable | Not used |
| Asking for an impression or evaluation | Very common | Not used | Not used |
| Asking for a reason | Usually not used to directly ask the reason | Not used | Very common |
| Common Chinese translation | 怎麼樣／怎麼辦／如何 | 怎麼／如何 | 為什麼／怎麼會 |
| Example | 日本での生活はどうですか。 | 駅までどうやって行きますか。 | どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか。 |
| Nuance of example | Asks about how life in Japan feels or is going | Asks how to get to the station | Asks why someone is studying Japanese |
▌「どう」 vs. 「どうやって」｜Asking About a Situation or What to Do vs. Asking for a Specific Method
Both 「どう」 and 「どうやって」 may be translated as 「怎麼」 in Chinese. The difference is whether the question specifically points to a method. 「どう」 can ask how something currently is, or how someone plans to handle something next. For example, 「旅行はどうでしたか」 asks about the impression of the trip, while 「これからどうしますか」 asks what someone plans to do next. The answer does not necessarily have to describe a method or set of steps.
「どうやって」 is much narrower. It asks “by what method is this done?” It is commonly used for transportation, operating instructions, study methods, and reservation procedures. Therefore, 「駅までどうやって行きますか」 expects an answer such as going by train, walking, or taking the bus. It is not asking how someone feels about going to the station.
- Example: 日本での生活はどうですか。
Kana: にほんでのせいかつはどうですか。
Translation: How is life in Japan?
This asks about the state of life or the person’s feelings about it. Answers may include 「楽しいです」 or 「忙しいです」. It is not asking for a method of living. - Example: このアプリはどうやって使いますか。
Kana: このアプリはどうやってつかいますか。
Translation: How do you use this app?
The question clearly asks for operating instructions, so the answer will usually explain where to tap first and what to do next. - Example: 駅までどうやって行きますか。
Kana: えきまでどうやっていきますか。
Translation: How do you get to the station?
The expected answer is a transportation method or route such as 「歩いて行きます」 or 「バスで行きます」.
▌「どう」 vs. 「どうして」｜Asking What the Situation Is Like vs. Asking Why It Is That Way
「どう」 can focus on the current state of something, such as whether a restaurant is good, how a trip was, or how someone is feeling physically. 「どうして」 looks backward for a reason and asks “why did this happen?”
Even in similar situations, the answers can be completely different. 「仕事はどうですか」 asks how work is going and may be answered with “busy,” “going well,” or “interesting.” 「どうしてその仕事を選んだんですか」 asks for the reason someone chose that job, so the answer will explain why. In Chinese, the second question may also be phrased with 「怎麼」, which makes it easy to choose the wrong Japanese question word if you look only at the Chinese wording.
- Example: 新しい仕事はどうですか。
Kana: あたらしいしごとはどうですか。
Translation: How is your new job?
This asks about the person’s current feelings or evaluation of the new job. An answer could be 「忙しいですが、楽しいです」. - Example: どうしてこの仕事を選んだんですか。
Kana: どうしてこのしごとをえらんだんですか。
Translation: Why did you choose this job?
This sentence asks for the reason the job was chosen, so an answer would give a reason such as 「興味があったからです」. - Example: 旅行はどうでしたか。
Kana: りょこうはどうでしたか。
Translation: How was the trip?
This asks about the overall impression of the trip. If changed to 「どうして京都に行ったんですか」, the question becomes why the person went to Kyoto.
▌「どうやって」 vs. 「どうして」｜Asking How Something Was Done vs. Asking Why It Was Done
「どうやって」 and 「どうして」 are especially easy to confuse under the Chinese word 「怎麼」. A Chinese question such as “怎麼來日本的？” may be asking what transportation someone used to come to Japan, or it may mean “how did you come to decide to come to Japan?” and ask for a reason. Japanese does not use the same question word for both meanings.
Use 「どうやって」 when you want to know the method. The answer will explain transportation, a tool, steps, or a way of doing something. Use 「どうして」 when you want to know the reason. The two questions can even use exactly the same verb; what changes is the layer of information the question targets.
- Example: 日本へどうやって来ましたか。
Kana: にほんへどうやってきましたか。
Translation: How did you come to Japan?
This asks about the method of coming to Japan. An answer could be 「飛行機で来ました」, with the focus on transportation. - Example: どうして日本へ来たんですか。
Kana: どうしてにほんへきたんですか。
Translation: Why did you come to Japan?
The same verb 「来る」 is used, but this sentence asks for the reason. The answer might be work, study abroad, or travel. - Example: このホテルはどうやって予約しましたか。
Kana: このホテルはどうやってよやくしましたか。
Translation: How did you book this hotel?
The answer might be through the official website or a booking platform. If it becomes 「どうしてこのホテルを予約したんですか」, the question instead asks why this hotel was chosen.
▌With the Same Situation of Studying Japanese, What Do 「どう・どうやって・どうして」 Each Ask?
Even in the same situation of studying Japanese, changing the question word sends the question in a completely different direction. 「日本語の勉強はどうですか」 asks how Japanese study has been going lately. 「どうやって日本語を勉強していますか」 asks what method the person uses. 「どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか」 asks why the person started or continues studying Japanese.
This is also one of the most practical ways to distinguish the three. When you see Chinese 「怎麼」, first imagine what kind of answer is expected. If the answer is “difficult” or “interesting,” it is closer to 「どう」. If the answer is “watch videos,” “take classes,” or “use an app,” you need 「どうやって」. If the answer starts with “because…,” use 「どうして」.
- Example: 日本語の勉強はどうですか。
Kana: にほんごのべんきょうはどうですか。
Translation: How is your Japanese study going?
This asks about the current experience or condition of studying Japanese. An answer could be 「難しいですが、おもしろいです」. - Example: どうやって日本語を勉強していますか。
Kana: どうやってにほんごをべんきょうしていますか。
Translation: How do you usually study Japanese?
The question focuses on the study method. Possible answers include watching Japanese dramas, taking classes, or using study materials. - Example: どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか。
Kana: どうしてにほんごをべんきょうしているんですか。
Translation: Why are you studying Japanese?
This asks for the reason someone is studying Japanese. Possible answers include liking Japanese culture, needing it for work, or preparing to live in Japan.
How Are 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 Used in Everyday Japanese? Three Common Situations
When 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 actually appear in conversation, they usually do not appear as isolated words. They are used together with the particles or sentence patterns required by the sentence. To ask about someone’s identity, you can say 「誰ですか」. To ask what someone is doing, use 「何をしますか」. When asking where to meet, it becomes 「どこで」. Time can be asked directly with 「いつ」. To ask about an impression or state, 「どうですか」 is common. First identify what kind of information you want the other person to provide, then choose the question word and the particle that follows.
▌Situation ①｜Seeing Someone You Do Not Know and Asking Who They Are
A：あの人は誰ですか。
あのひとはだれですか。
Who is that person?
B：新しい店長です。
あたらしいてんちょうです。
That is the new store manager.
📌 Grammar Point: 「誰」 is used to ask about a person or identity. Here, the speaker wants to know who 「あの人」 is, so 「誰ですか」 is used directly. If the question becomes 「誰と行きますか」, what is being asked is no longer the person’s identity but “who are you going with?” 「誰に聞きましたか」 asks “who did you ask?” The question word does not change, but the following 「と」 or 「に」 determines how that person relates to the action in the sentence.
▌Situation ②｜Making Weekend Plans and Confirming What to Do, Where to Meet, and When to Meet
A：週末、何をしますか。
しゅうまつ、なにをしますか。
What are we going to do this weekend?
B：映画を見に行きませんか。
えいがをみにいきませんか。
Would you like to go see a movie?
A：いいですね。どこで会いますか。
いいですね。どこであいますか。
Sounds good. Where should we meet?
B：新宿駅で会いましょう。
しんじゅくえきであいましょう。
Let’s meet at Shinjuku Station.
A：いつ会いますか。
いつあいますか。
When should we meet?
B：2時はどうですか。
にじはどうですか。
How about 2:00?
📌 Grammar Point: Several different question words can appear in the same conversation about making plans. 「何をしますか」 is missing the activity, so it uses 「何」. 「どこで会いますか」 is missing the meeting place, and because the action 「会う」 takes place there, 「で」 is used. 「いつ会いますか」 asks about time. The final 「2時はどうですか」 is not asking for the time again. Instead, it presents “2:00” as an option and asks whether the other person thinks it is suitable.
▌Situation ③｜Asking a Friend About Their Trip After They Return
A：京都旅行はどうでしたか。
きょうとりょこうはどうでしたか。
How was your trip to Kyoto?
B：楽しかったです。でも、人が多かったです。
たのしかったです。でも、ひとがおおかったです。
It was fun, but there were a lot of people.
A：どこがいちばんよかったですか。
どこがいちばんよかったですか。
Which place did you like best?
B：嵐山がよかったです。
あらしやまがよかったです。
Arashiyama was nice.
📌 Grammar Point: 「どうでしたか」 asks about the overall impression or evaluation of the trip, so answers may include 「楽しかったです」「よかったです」「ちょっと疲れました」. The following 「どこがいちばんよかったですか」 narrows the question to a place and asks which location was the best among several. Chinese may express these ideas as “旅行怎麼樣” and “哪裡最好,” but Japanese changes the question word according to what information is actually missing.
Usage Notes:
- 「誰・何・どこ」 can take different particles depending on the verb in the sentence. 「誰と話しますか」 asks about the person someone talks with, 「何を食べますか」 asks what is eaten, and 「どこで食べますか」 asks where the eating takes place. The question word indicates what type of information is missing, while the particle explains the role that information plays in the sentence. The same 「どこ」 can appear as 「どこに行きますか」 or 「どこで買いますか」. The former asks for a destination, while the latter asks where the action of buying takes place.
- When 「何」 appears in different sentences, pay attention to whether it is read as 「なに」 or 「なん」. 「何を」「何が」 are generally read with 「なに」, so 「何をしますか」 is pronounced 「なにをしますか」. 「何ですか」 is read as 「なんですか」, and combinations involving time or quantity such as 「何時」「何人」 also commonly use 「なん」. However, not every 「何＋something」 is read with 「なん」. 「何語」 is 「なにご」 and 「何色」 is 「なにいろ」. Memorizing common combinations together makes them less confusing.
- When Chinese uses 「怎麼」, it cannot always be replaced directly with 「どう」. 「旅行はどうでしたか」 asks how the trip was, so 「どう」 is appropriate. 「どうやって京都へ行きましたか」 asks by what method someone went to Kyoto. 「どうして京都へ行ったんですか」 asks why someone went to Kyoto. All three can involve 「怎麼」 in Chinese, but their answers are respectively an impression, a transportation method, and a reason. Looking at what type of answer is expected makes the distinction easier.
How Do Japanese 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 Compare with Korean 「누구・뭐／무엇・어디・언제・어때요／어떻게」?
The relationship between Japanese 「誰・何・どこ・いつ」 and their Korean counterparts is relatively straightforward. 「誰」 asks about a person and commonly corresponds to Korean 「누구」. 「何」 asks about a thing or content and corresponds to 「뭐／무엇」. 「どこ」 and 「어디」 both ask about a place, while 「いつ」 and 「언제」 ask about time. The genuinely confusing one is 「どう」, because Korean does not use a single 「어떻게」 for every situation.
When Japanese 「どうですか」 asks for an impression, state, or evaluation, Korean usually uses 「어때요」. When Japanese 「どうやって」 asks for a method or means, it is closer to Korean 「어떻게」. If 「どうして」 asks for a reason, Korean more commonly uses 「왜」. The first four pairs can therefore be understood through a rough correspondence, while 「どう」 requires you to return to the full sentence and ask what information it is actually requesting.
◆ Similar Expression: 「誰」／「누구」
Japanese 「誰」 and Korean 「누구」 both ask about an unknown person or identity, and their functions are very similar. In questions such as “Who is it?”, “Who are you going with?”, and “Who did you ask?”, both languages combine the question word with the particles required by the sentence.
However, the particles do not correspond word for word. Japanese uses forms such as 「誰と」「誰に」「誰が」, while Korean may use 「누구와／누구랑」「누구에게」「누가」 depending on the sentence. In particular, the nominative form 「누가」 does not simply preserve the full form 「누구＋가」, but is the form normally used in everyday Korean.
- Example: あの人は誰ですか。
Kana: あのひとはだれですか。
Translation: Who is that person?
In Korean, you can say 「저 사람은 누구예요?」
Romanization: jeo sa-ra-meun nu-gu-ye-yo?Both sentences directly ask who the person in front of the speaker is. In this situation, 「誰」 and 「누구」 can be understood as a very direct pair. - Example: 誰と行きますか。
Kana: だれといきますか。
Translation: Who are you going with?
In Korean, you can say 「누구랑 가요?」
Romanization: nu-gu-rang ga-yo?Both ask about the person accompanying someone. Japanese uses 「と」, while conversational Korean commonly uses 「랑／이랑」 to express “with.”
◆ Similar Expression: 「何」／「뭐・무엇」
Japanese 「何」 and Korean 「뭐／무엇」 both ask about an unknown thing, content, or matter. 「무엇」 is the full form, while 「뭐」 appears more frequently in everyday conversation, so expressions such as 「뭐예요?」「뭐 먹어요?」「뭐 해요?」 are common in casual speech.
Both languages also have their own points that require attention. Japanese 「何」 changes pronunciation between 「なに」 and 「なん」 depending on what follows, while Korean often involves choosing between the full 「무엇」 and the more conversational 「뭐」. So although both may correspond to Chinese 「什麼」, their pronunciation and form are not fixed to just one version once they are placed in sentences.
- Example: これは何ですか。
Kana: これはなんですか。
Translation: What is this?
In Korean, you can say 「이건 뭐예요?」
Romanization: i-geon mwo-ye-yo?Japanese reads 「何」 as 「なん」 here, while everyday Korean naturally uses 「뭐」. Both sentences ask what the object or content in front of the speaker is. - Example: 何を食べますか。
Kana: なにをたべますか。
Translation: What are you going to eat?
In Korean, you can say 「뭐 먹어요?」
Romanization: mwo meo-geo-yo?The 「何」 in Japanese 「何を」 is read as 「なに」. In conversational Korean, 「뭐 먹어요?」 is common, and the object particle after 「뭐」 may be omitted.
◆ Similar Expression: 「どこ」／「어디」
Japanese 「どこ」 and Korean 「어디」 both ask about a place or location, and their basic functions are very similar. Questions such as “Where is the restroom?”, “Where did you buy it?”, and “Where are you going?” use a place question word in both languages, followed by the particle required by the sentence.
The main difference lies in the particles. Japanese 「どこに」 can ask about a destination or the location where something exists, while 「どこで」 asks where an action takes place. Korean commonly uses 「어디에」「어디에서」. So although 「どこ＝어디」 is a useful basic correspondence, the Japanese 「に／で」 cannot simply be mapped onto Korean based on the same Chinese meaning.
- Example: トイレはどこですか。
Kana: トイレはどこですか。
Translation: Where is the restroom?
In Korean, you can say 「화장실은 어디예요?」
Romanization: hwa-jang-si-reun eo-di-ye-yo?Both sentences directly ask for a location. This type of “Where is N?” pattern is useful for learning 「どこ」 and 「어디」 together. - Example: どこで買いましたか。
Kana: どこでかいましたか。
Translation: Where did you buy it?
In Korean, you can say 「어디에서 샀어요?」
Romanization: eo-di-e-seo sa-sseo-yo?Japanese uses 「で」 to mark the place where the action of buying occurs, while Korean uses 「에서」.
◆ Similar Expression: 「いつ」／「언제」
Japanese 「いつ」 and Korean 「언제」 both ask about time, and neither requires the answer to be an exact clock time. The answer may be tomorrow, next week, summer vacation, a particular date, or a relatively vague period.
Both can also be combined with particles that indicate a starting point or deadline. Japanese has 「いつから」「いつまで」, while Korean has 「언제부터」「언제까지」. In both languages, 「いつ／언제」 are not limited to being used alone. They commonly appear with expressions that specify a time relationship.
- Example: いつ日本へ行きますか。
Kana: いつにほんへいきますか。
Translation: When are you going to Japan?
In Korean, you can say 「언제 일본에 가요?」
Romanization: eon-je il-bon-e ga-yo?Both sentences ask only for a time answer, which does not have to be an exact hour. The answer could be next month, next year, or a particular date. - Example: 休みはいつからですか。
Kana: やすみはいつからですか。
Translation: When does the break start?
In Korean, you can say 「방학은 언제부터예요?」
Romanization: bang-ha-geun eon-je-bu-teo-ye-yo?Japanese 「から」 and Korean 「부터」 both focus the question on the starting time, making this another useful combination to compare.
◆ Similar Expression: 「どう」／「어때요・어떻게」
Japanese 「どう」 cannot simply be memorized as 「どう＝어떻게」. When 「どう」 appears in 「どうですか」 and asks for an impression, condition, or evaluation, Korean is closer to 「어때요」. When the question genuinely asks “how do you do it?” or “by what method?”, Japanese commonly uses 「どうやって」 and Korean uses 「어떻게」.
For example, 「日本の生活はどうですか」 asks how life in Japan feels, and Korean would say 「일본 생활은 어때요?」 rather than using 「어떻게」 for the same question. By contrast, 「駅までどうやって行きますか」 asks how to get to the station, and Korean 「역까지 어떻게 가요?」 is a close match.
- Example: 日本での生活はどうですか。
Kana: にほんでのせいかつはどうですか。
Translation: How is life in Japan?
In Korean, you can say 「일본 생활은 어때요?」
Romanization: il-bon saeng-hwa-reun eo-ttae-yo?The expected answer is a feeling or state such as “good,” “busy,” or “not bad,” so Korean 「어때요」 is more natural than 「어떻게」 here. - Example: 駅までどうやって行きますか。
Kana: えきまでどうやっていきますか。
Translation: How do you get to the station?
In Korean, you can say 「역까지 어떻게 가요?」
Romanization: yeok-kka-ji eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?Both sentences ask about a method or means of transportation. The answer may be taking the subway, walking, or taking a bus, and this is where 「どうやって」 and 「어떻게」 are especially close.
◆ Japanese 「どうして」 and Korean 「왜」 Should Also Not Be Mixed Together Under Chinese 「怎麼」
Japanese has another expression that is easily grouped together under the Chinese 「怎麼」: 「どうして」. 「どうして」 asks for a reason, and Korean generally uses 「왜」. This means Japanese 「どう」「どうやって」「どうして」 often split into three different directions in Korean: 「어때요」「어떻게」「왜」.
For example, 「どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか」 is not asking how someone studies Japanese but why they study it. In Korean, this is 「왜 일본어를 공부해요?」. If the intention is to ask about the study method, Japanese changes to 「どうやって日本語を勉強していますか」 and Korean to 「어떻게 일본어를 공부해요?」.
- Example: どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか。
Kana: どうしてにほんごをべんきょうしているんですか。
Translation: Why are you studying Japanese?
In Korean, you can say 「왜 일본어를 공부해요?」
Romanization: wae il-bon-eo-reul gong-bu-hae-yo?This sentence asks for a reason, so answers will explain work, travel, or personal interest rather than a study method. - Example: どうやって日本語を勉強していますか。
Kana: どうやってにほんごをべんきょうしていますか。
Translation: How do you usually study Japanese?
In Korean, you can say 「어떻게 일본어를 공부해요?」
Romanization: eo-tteo-ke il-bon-eo-reul gong-bu-hae-yo?This sentence asks about a method, so answers may include taking classes, watching videos, reading study materials, or practicing with friends.
◆ Core Differences from Korean 「누구・뭐／무엇・어디・언제・어때요／어떻게」:
The four pairs 「誰／누구」「何／뭐・무엇」「どこ／어디」「いつ／언제」 have very similar basic functions, so you can first build a correspondence around “asking about a person, thing, place, or time.” When actually making sentences, you also need to check which particles each language uses. For example, 「誰と」 may correspond to 「누구랑」, 「どこで」 to 「어디에서」, and 「いつから」 to 「언제부터」.「どう」 is the least suitable for memorizing as a fixed one-to-one Korean equivalent. When Japanese 「どうですか」 asks for an impression or condition, Korean normally uses 「어때요」. When 「どうやって」 asks for a method, Korean uses 「어떻게」, while 「どうして」 asking for a reason is closer to 「왜」. So when you see Chinese 「怎麼」, it is more accurate to first determine whether the sentence is asking for an impression, method, or reason rather than automatically choosing one Korean word.Also, although both 「何」 and 「뭐／무엇」 correspond to Chinese 「什麼」, each language has its own variation in form. Japanese distinguishes between the readings 「なに／なん」, while Korean chooses between the everyday 「뭐」 and the full form 「무엇」 depending on context. These differences are easier to understand in actual sentences than through a simple word-to-word correspondence table.
Japanese question words 「誰・何・どこ・いつ・どう」 are easier to distinguish when considered inside actual questions rather than memorized only through their Chinese meanings. When you see 「何」, check whether it is followed by a particle, 「です」, or a counter. When Chinese 「怎麼」 appears, first separate whether the question is asking for an impression, method, or reason. This will make it easier to decide between 「どう」「どうやって」「どうして」.
Common combinations such as 「誰と」「どこで」「いつから」 also develop from these same basic usages. When you later encounter forms such as 「誰か」「何も」「どこでも」, you can look at what meaning is added when 「か／も／でも」 attaches to the original question word, rather than memorizing them as completely unrelated new combinations.
FAQs
「誰」 asks about a person, 「何」 about a thing or content, 「どこ」 about a place, 「いつ」 about time, and 「どう」 about a state, impression, or way of doing something. It is easier to choose the correct question word by first identifying what type of information the expected answer should contain rather than translating directly from Chinese word by word.
「何を」「何が」 are usually read with 「なに」, while fixed combinations such as 「何ですか」「何時」「何人」「何本」 commonly use 「なん」. However, combinations such as 「何語（なにご）」 and 「何色（なにいろ）」 still use 「なに」. For time expressions, counters, and fixed combinations, it is most reliable to memorize the whole expression together with its pronunciation.
Yes, but their nuance and range of use differ. 「どこ」 is the most direct way to ask about a location. 「どちら」 originally asks about direction, but in more polite contexts it can also be used to ask about a place or a person’s identity. If you simply want to ask where a restroom or station is, 「どこ」 is the most natural choice.
「いつ」 asks about time broadly, so the answer may be tomorrow, next week, July, or a particular date. 「何時（なんじ）」 specifically asks what hour it is. Use 「何時」 when you need the exact clock time, and 「いつ」 when you want to know the general day or period.
「どう」 commonly asks about a state, impression, or overall situation, 「どうやって」 asks about a method or means, and 「どうして」 asks for a reason. All three may appear as 「怎麼」 in Chinese, but in Japanese you can distinguish them by looking at the type of answer expected: an evaluation, a method, or a reason.