Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Add か to ask
In basic polite Japanese, you can often turn a statement into a question by adding か at the end. The rest of the sentence may stay almost the same.
Target signal
これはペンですか。
Is this a pen?
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- これ
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ペン
- pen
Compare in context
たなかさんはせんせいですか。
Is Tanaka a teacher?
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せんせい
- teacher
- せいで
- because of; due to (negative result)
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
Compare in context
きょうはやすみですか。
Is today a day off?
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- きょう
- today
- やすみ
- closed; day off
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Section 2 of 3
Yes and no answers
Beginner answers are short and repetitive on purpose. Repeating part of the sentence helps you stay inside the Japanese pattern.
Target signal
はい、ペンです。
Yes, it is a pen.
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- はい
- yes
- ペン
- pen
Preview
いいえ、せんせいではありません。
No, [they] are not a teacher.
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ではありません
- is not; am not; are not
- せんせい
- teacher
- せいで
- because of; due to (negative result)
Preview
はい、やすみです。
Yes, it is a day off.
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- やすみ
- closed; day off
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- はい
- yes
Section 3 of 3
Check the sentence end first
When you are unsure whether a line is a statement or a question, look at the end. The final か gives you the answer quickly.
Target signal
それはほんですか。
Is that a book?
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- それ
- that
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ほん
- book
Preview
ここはとしょかんですか。
Is this the library?
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ここ
- here
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- か
- question marker; or
Preview
はい、としょかんです。
Yes, it is the library.
Notice how Questions with か shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- はい
- yes
- か
- question marker; or