Japanese interrogative adverbs, also known as question words or question adverbs, are essential elements in the Japanese language when it comes to asking questions. These adverbs play a crucial role in constructing interrogative sentences and obtaining specific information from others. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive introduction to Japanese interrogative adverbs, their usage, and examples of sentences to illustrate their application.
What are Japanese Interrogative Adverbs?
Interrogative adverbs in Japanese are words that are used to ask questions and seek information about various aspects, such as time, place, quantity, manner, reason, and others. These adverbs serve as question words and are placed at the beginning of a sentence to indicate the type of information being sought. Japanese interrogative adverbs are different from regular adverbs that describe how an action is performed or modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Common Japanese Interrogative Adverbs:
Let’s explore some of the most commonly used Japanese interrogative adverbs along with their meanings and example sentences:
a. いつ (itsu) – When
Example: いつ来ますか？(itsu kimasu ka?) – When will you come?
b. どこ (doko) – Where
Example: どこに行きますか？(doko ni ikimasu ka?) – Where are you going?
c. だれ (dare) – Who
Example: だれが来ましたか？(dare ga kimashita ka?) – Who came?
d. なに/なん (nani/nan) – What
Example: なにをしていますか？(nani o shiteimasu ka?) – What are you doing?
e. なぜ (naze) – Why
Example: なぜ行きませんでしたか？(naze ikimasen deshita ka?) – Why didn’t you go?
f. どうして (doushite) – Why
Example: どうして泣いていますか？(doushite naiteimasu ka?) – Why are you crying?
g. いくら (ikura) – How much
Example: いくらですか？(ikura desu ka?) – How much does it cost?
h. どのくらい (donokurai) – How long/How much
Example: どのくらい勉強しましたか？(donokurai benkyou shimashita ka?) – How long did you study?
i. どう (dou) – How
Example: どうなりましたか？(dou narimashita ka?) – How did it turn out?
j. いくつ (ikutsu) – How many
Example: いくつありますか？(ikutsu arimasu ka?) – How many are there?
Using Japanese Interrogative Adverbs:
To form a question using interrogative adverbs in Japanese, the adverb is placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject, particle (if necessary), and the rest of the sentence structure. It’s important to note that the word order in Japanese questions is often different from that of English. Here are some examples:
a. どこで食べますか？(doko de tabemasu ka?) – Where will you eat?
b. いつ来ましたか？(itsu kimashita ka?) – When did you come?
c. なぜ泣いていますか？(naze naiteimasu ka?) – Why are you crying?
d. どのくらい勉強しましたか？(donokurai benkyou shimashita ka?) – How long did you study?
e. なにをしていますか？(nani o shiteimasu ka?) – What are you doing?
Polite and Casual Forms:
In Japanese, there are different levels of politeness when asking questions. The polite form is commonly used in formal situations or when addressing someone with higher status, while the casual form is used in informal settings or with close friends and family members. Let’s see the difference in the examples below:
Polite form:
a. どこで食べますか？(doko de tabemasu ka?) – Where will you eat?
b. いつ来ましたか？(itsu kimashita ka?) – When did you come?
Casual form:
a. どこで食べるの？(doko de taberu no?) – Where will you eat?
b. いつ来たの？(itsu kita no?) – When did you come?
Additional Interrogative Adverbs:
Apart from the common interrogative adverbs mentioned earlier, there are other adverbs that seek specific information in Japanese. Here are a few additional adverbs along with example sentences:
a. どうやって (douyatte) – How
Example: どうやって作りますか？(douyatte tsukurimasu ka?) – How do you make it?
b. いくつか (ikutsuka) – Some/Several
Example: いくつか問題があります。(ikutsuka mondai ga arimasu.) – There are several problems.
c. いつか (itsuka) – Someday
Example: いつか行きたいです。(itsuka ikitai desu.) – I want to go someday.
Summary:
Japanese interrogative adverbs are fundamental components for constructing questions and obtaining specific information in the Japanese language. By using these adverbs appropriately, you can ask questions about various aspects such as time, place, quantity, manner, and reason. Remember that the word order in Japanese questions may differ from English, and there are different levels of politeness to consider. Practice using these adverbs in sentences to become more comfortable with asking questions in Japanese.
Originally posted 2023-07-14 21:16:11.