Japanese for Secondhand Fountain Pen Shopping: Asking About Nib Size
Learn to ask about fountain pen nib size in Japanese using ペン先のサイズは何ですか and 細字ですか、中字ですか. Build vocabulary for 万年筆 and ペン先, and practice a natural staff conversation.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you find a used fountain pen at a Japanese stationery shop or flea market, the most important detail is often the nib size. This lesson teaches you how to ask directly and politely. You will learn the key words 万年筆 (fountain pen) and ペン先 (nib), and two reusable question patterns: ペン先のサイズは何ですか (What is the nib size?) and 細字ですか、中字ですか (Is it fine or medium?). You will also practice a short dialogue with a staff member so you can get the information you need without guessing.
By the end, you can…
- ask the nib size of a fountain pen using ペン先のサイズは何ですか.
- ask whether a nib is fine or medium using 細字ですか、中字ですか.
- understand and use the words 万年筆 and ペン先 in a shop conversation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、この万年筆のペン先のサイズは何ですか。
Excuse me, what is the nib size of this fountain pen?
Sumimasen, kono mannenhitsu no pensaki no saizu wa nan desu ka.
Use this when you are holding or pointing at a specific used fountain pen and want the nib size. すみません gets the staff's attention politely.
ペン先は細字ですか、中字ですか。
Is the nib fine or medium?
Pensaki wa hosaji desu ka, chūji desu ka.
A choice question. Use it when you expect the answer to be one of two common sizes. The second ですか is often said with a rising intonation.
細字と中字、どちらですか。
Which is it, fine or medium?
Hosaji to chūji, dochira desu ka.
Another way to ask a choice question. どちら is polite and works well in shops. You can replace 細字 and 中字 with other sizes if needed.
ペン先のサイズを教えてください。
Please tell me the nib size.
Pensaki no saizu o oshiete kudasai.
A direct but polite request. Use it when you want the staff to check or explain the size. 教えてください is a standard polite request.
これは細字ですか。
Is this fine?
Kore wa hosaji desu ka.
A simple yes/no question about a specific pen. Point to the pen or hold it up when you say これ.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern ペン先のサイズは何ですか literally means 'the nib's size is what?' In Japanese, 何 (nani/nan) comes before ですか. You can also ask ペン先は細字ですか、中字ですか, which offers two choices. For a more open question, use どんなサイズですか (What kind of size is it?). Remember that 万年筆 means fountain pen, and ペン先 means nib. Example: この万年筆のペン先は細字ですか。 (Is this fountain pen's nib fine?)
When to use it
Use these questions when you are looking at a used fountain pen and the nib size is not clearly marked, or when you want to confirm before buying. In a shop, start with すみません to get attention, then ask. If the staff answers with a size you do not know, you can ask もう一度お願いします (One more time, please) or ゆっくりお願いします (Slowly, please). For example: すみません、この万年筆のペン先のサイズは何ですか。 (Excuse me, what is the nib size of this fountain pen?)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この万年筆のペン先のサイズは何ですか。
Excuse me, what is the nib size of this fountain pen?Sumimasen, kono mannenhitsu no pensaki no saizu wa nan desu ka.はい、少々お待ちください。ええと、細字です。
Yes, one moment please. Let me see... it is fine.Hai, shōshō omachi kudasai. Ēto, hosaji desu.細字ですか。中字もありますか。
It is fine? Do you also have medium?Hosaji desu ka. Chūji mo arimasu ka.申し訳ありません、この万年筆は細字だけです。
I'm sorry, this fountain pen is only fine.Mōshiwake arimasen, kono mannenhitsu wa hosaji dake desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese shops, it is common to start with すみません to call a staff member. Staff may use polite forms like 少々お待ちください (please wait a moment). When asking about a used item, it is fine to ask directly about the nib size, but avoid asking about prices or guarantees unless the staff brings it up. The word 万年筆 is standard for fountain pen, and ペン先 is the nib. If you are unsure, you can repeat the size word with a rising intonation to confirm.
One thing to watch for
Using ペン instead of ペン先 when asking about the nib size.
Try this instead: ペン means pen in general, but the nib is ペン先. Ask ペン先のサイズは何ですか, not ペンのサイズは何ですか, when you mean the nib. For example: この万年筆のペン先は細字ですか。 (Is this fountain pen's nib fine?)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'What is the nib size?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
ペン先のサイズは何ですか。
This directly asks for the nib size. You can add この万年筆の at the beginning to specify the pen. Other variations like ペン先のサイズを教えてください are also correct.
2Ask whether the nib is fine or medium.
Show a sample answer
ペン先は細字ですか、中字ですか。
This choice question offers two options. You can also say 細字と中字、どちらですか。 Both are natural and polite.
3What word means 'fountain pen' and what word means 'nib'?
Show a sample answer
万年筆 means fountain pen, and ペン先 means nib.
These are the key nouns for this situation. Remember that 万年筆 is written with kanji, and ペン先 combines ペン (pen) and 先 (tip).
To ask about a used fountain pen's nib size, use ペン先のサイズは何ですか or 細字ですか、中字ですか. Start with すみません, and listen for 細字 (fine) or 中字 (medium).
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