Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 3
〜はどういう意味ですか~ wa dou iu imi desu ka
what does ~ mean?
Use 「〜はどういう意味ですか」 to ask what an unfamiliar word or sentence means, not how it is pronounced.
How it works
If you see 「あっさり」 on a menu and don't know what it means, ask using the question in the picture.
Put the word you don't understand before 「は」, then add 「どういう意味ですか」 to ask what it means.
You can use this question to ask about the meaning of a word or a whole sentence.
Even if you can read the word, you may not know its meaning. This question asks what it means, not how to pronounce it.
In the picture, the server explains 「あっさり」 as “a light flavor with little oil” to help the customer understand.
You can ask the same way with 「おおもり」 from the menu. Ask the other person to explain what the word means.
Example sentences
- 「"あっさり」assariはwaどういうdouiu意味imiですdesuか。ka
What does "assari" mean?
- 「"
In a conversation
- A「あっさり」はどういう意味ですか。
A: What does "assari" mean?
- B油が少なくて、さっぱりした味
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
What does "assari" mean?
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
すみません、「あっさり」はどういう 。
Excuse me, what does "assari" mean?
More grammar in this theme
- 〜はどういう意味ですかwhat does ~ mean?
