Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1
〜はどうですか~ wa dou desu ka
ask for an impression
Use 「〜はどうですか」 to ask someone’s impression or opinion about a topic.
How it works
She is eating sushi, and you want to hear what she thinks. Look at the picture: what word does she use to describe the sushi?
Put the thing you want to ask about before 「は」, then add 「どうですか」 to ask what the other person thinks of it.
With 「北京はどうですか。」, you ask for the other person’s impression of Beijing. You can ask about cities this way too.
To ask specifically about the taste, say 「味はどうですか。」. The word before 「は」 sets the scope of your question.
In the picture, she answers 「おいしいです。」. Give a specific impression here; just “yes” or “no” does not answer the question.
「どこですか」 asks where something is; 「どうですか」 asks what it is like. First think about what you want to know.
Example sentences
- 北京pekinはwaどうdouですdesuか。ka
How about Beijing?
- 北京pekinのno北京pekin
In a conversation
- A日本の料理はどうですか。
How is Japanese food?
- B味が薄いです。でも、おいしいですよ。
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
How is Japanese food?
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
北京 ですか。
How is Beijing?
More grammar in this theme
- 〜はどうですかask for an impression
