How to Ask a Teacher to Explain a Problem in Japanese: Academic Help Requests
Learn to ask a teacher or classmate to explain an academic problem in Japanese using 説明してもらえますか and 教えてもらえますか, with polite forms and classroom dialogue.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you are stuck on a homework problem or a difficult concept in class, you need a specific way to ask for an explanation. In Japanese, this is not the same as asking for a general favor. You will usually use the verb 説明する (setsumei suru, 'to explain') or 教える (oshieru, 'to teach/tell') with a request pattern such as 〜てもらえますか. This lesson gives you five ready-to-use phrases, a short classroom dialogue, and notes on politeness so you can ask clearly without sounding demanding. You will also learn how to name the exact problem, for example この問題 (kono mondai, 'this problem') or この文 (kono bun, 'this sentence'), so your request is precise.
By the end, you can…
- ask a teacher to explain an academic problem using 説明してもらえますか。
- ask a classmate or teacher to teach me how to solve a problem using 教えてもらえますか。
- name the specific problem or sentence I need help with.
- use polite request forms appropriately in a classroom setting.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
この問題を説明してもらえますか。
Can you explain this problem?
Kono mondai o setsumei shite moraemasu ka.
Use with a teacher or senior classmate. この問題 means 'this problem' and 説明してもらえますか is a polite request for an explanation.
この問題の解き方を教えてもらえますか。
Can you teach me how to solve this problem?
Kono mondai no tokikata o oshiete moraemasu ka.
Use when you want the method or steps, not just a general explanation. 解き方 (tokikata) means 'way of solving'.
すみません、この文の意味がわかりません。
Excuse me, I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.
Sumimasen, kono bun no imi ga wakarimasen.
A useful opening before asking for an explanation. 文 (bun) means 'sentence' and 意味 (imi) means 'meaning'.
もう一度説明してもらえますか。
Can you explain it one more time?
Mō ichido setsumei shite moraemasu ka.
Use when you heard an explanation but need it repeated. もう一度 (mō ichido) means 'one more time'.
どこがわからないかというと、ここです。
As for what I don't understand, it's here.
Doko ga wakaranai ka to iu to, koko desu.
Use to point to the exact part. This helps the teacher give a focused explanation instead of repeating everything.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 〜てもらえますか (〜te moraemasu ka). It means 'Can you do ... for me?' and is polite enough for a teacher. Attach it to the て-form of a verb: 説明する → 説明して → 説明してもらえますか。教える → 教えて → 教えてもらえますか。For example, この問題を説明してもらえますか。 (Can you explain this problem?) and この問題の解き方を教えてもらえますか。 (Can you teach me how to solve this problem?). To be more formal, use 〜ていただけますか (〜te itadakemasu ka): 説明していただけますか。 This is very polite and common in academic settings.
When to use it
Use 説明してもらえますか when you want a clear explanation of a concept, a sentence, or a problem. Use 教えてもらえますか when you want to learn how to do something, such as a calculation method or a grammar rule. If you only need a quick repetition, say もう一度お願いします (Mō ichido onegai shimasu, 'One more time, please'). In class, it is natural to start with すみません (Sumimasen, 'Excuse me') to get the teacher's attention. After the explanation, say わかりました。ありがとうございます。 (Wakarimashita. Arigatō gozaimasu., 'I understand. Thank you.').
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この問題を説明してもらえますか。
Excuse me, can you explain this problem?Sumimasen, kono mondai o setsumei shite moraemasu ka.はい、いいですよ。どこがわからないんですか。
Yes, that's fine. What part don't you understand?Hai, ii desu yo. Doko ga wakaranai n desu ka.この文の意味がわかりません。
I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.Kono bun no imi ga wakarimasen.わかりました。じゃあ、一緒に考えましょう。
I see. Then let's think about it together.Wakarimashita. Jā, issho ni kangaemashō.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese classrooms, requests are usually softened with すみません or お願いします. Direct commands like 説明して (setsumei shite) can sound rude to a teacher. The 〜てもらえますか pattern is safe and polite. With close classmates, you can use 教えてくれる？ (oshiete kureru?), but with teachers, keep 〜てもらえますか or 〜ていただけますか. Also, it is common to specify the exact part you do not understand; this shows effort and makes the request easier to answer.
One thing to watch for
Using この問題を説明してくれますか。 with a teacher, which can sound too direct or casual.
Try this instead: Use この問題を説明してもらえますか。 or the more formal この問題を説明していただけますか。 The 〜てくれますか pattern is better for friends or people of equal status, not for a teacher.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a teacher to explain this problem politely?
Show a sample answer
この問題を説明してもらえますか。
This uses 説明してもらえますか, a polite request pattern. この問題を説明していただけますか is also correct and more formal.
2You want to ask how to solve a problem. What phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
この問題の解き方を教えてもらえますか。
解き方 means 'way of solving', and 教えてもらえますか asks for instruction. You could also say この問題の解き方を教えていただけますか for extra politeness.
3You didn't catch the explanation. How do you ask for it again?
Show a sample answer
もう一度説明してもらえますか。
もう一度 means 'one more time'. Another natural option is もう一度お願いします, which is shorter and very common.
For academic help in Japanese, use この問題を説明してもらえますか or この問題の解き方を教えてもらえますか. Start with すみません, point to the exact part you don't understand, and thank the person afterward.
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