Asking What Something Means in Japanese: Clarifying Unclear Cultural Context
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases for asking what a word, gesture, or custom means when the cultural context is unclear, using どういう意味ですか and related patterns.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you hear an unfamiliar word, see a gesture you do not recognize, or encounter a custom that puzzles you, the useful question is not simply 'What?' but 'What does that mean?' In Japanese, this is expressed most directly with どういう意味ですか (dō iu imi desu ka). This lesson teaches you to ask about meaning, to check whether your understanding is correct, and to ask for a concrete example, all while keeping your tone polite and non-confrontational. You will practice asking about words, gestures, and customs in natural conversation.
By the end, you can…
- ask what a word, gesture, or custom means using どういう意味ですか。
- check whether my understanding is correct with 〜という意味ですか。
- ask for a concrete example with 例えばどういうことですか。
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、どういう意味ですか。
Excuse me, what does that mean?
Sumimasen, dō iu imi desu ka.
The standard polite way to ask about the meaning of a word, phrase, gesture, or situation you have just encountered.
今の言葉はどういう意味ですか。
What does that word you just said mean?
Ima no kotoba wa dō iu imi desu ka.
Use 今の (ima no) to point specifically to something just said, rather than asking in general.
それは「〜」という意味ですか。
Does that mean '...'?
Sore wa '...' to iu imi desu ka.
Use this to check your own guess. Put your guessed meaning in the quotation slot before という意味ですか. The slot is written with the placeholder 「〜」, which you replace with the actual word or phrase.
もう少し詳しく説明していただけますか。
Could you explain a little more specifically?
Mō sukoshi kuwashiku setsumei shite itadakemasu ka.
A polite request for more detail when the first explanation was not enough. いただけますか is more formal than くれますか.
例えば、どういうことですか。
For example, what kind of thing is that?
Tatoeba, dō iu koto desu ka.
Use this when you understand the words but not the actual situation. どういうこと focuses on the situation or behavior, not just the word.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is どういう意味ですか (dō iu imi desu ka), which asks 'what kind of meaning is it?' You can attach it to a topic with は: この言葉はどういう意味ですか (kono kotoba wa dō iu imi desu ka) means 'What does this word mean?' To check a guess, use 〜という意味ですか: 「休む」という意味ですか means 'Does it mean "to rest"?' For situations rather than words, replace 意味 with こと: どういうことですか asks 'What does that mean?' or 'What is going on?' This distinction matters: 意味 is for language, こと is for events and behavior.
When to use it
Use these questions when the problem is cultural understanding, not simply failing to hear. If someone says 空気を読む (kūki o yomu) and you know the words but not the custom, ask どういうことですか rather than repeating 何ですか. If a gesture such as a small bow or a hand wave confuses you, ask 今のはどういう意味ですか (ima no wa dō iu imi desu ka). Add すみません before the question to soften it. In formal settings, 説明していただけますか is safer than 教えてください, which can sound like a demand for a quick answer.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、今の「空気を読む」はどういう意味ですか。
Excuse me, what does that 'read the air' you just said mean?Sumimasen, ima no 'kūki o yomu' wa dō iu imi desu ka.周りの様子や気持ちを考えて、行動することです。
It means acting while considering the situation and feelings of those around you.Mawari no yōsu ya kimochi o kangaete, kōdō suru koto desu.なるほど。例えば、どういうことですか。
I see. For example, what kind of situation is that?Naruhodo. Tatoeba, dō iu koto desu ka.会議で、みんなが反対している時に、強く言わないことです。
For example, not speaking strongly when everyone at a meeting is opposed.Kaigi de, minna ga hantai shite iru toki ni, tsuyoku iwanai koto desu.A little context goes a long way
Japanese questions about meaning often begin with すみません or ちょっと伺いますが (chotto ukagaimasu ga) to avoid sounding abrupt. Directly saying 何ですか after someone speaks can sound like a challenge, so どういう意味ですか or どういうことですか is usually safer. In business settings, 説明していただけますか is more appropriate than 教えてください when asking a superior for detail.
One thing to watch for
Using どういう意味ですか to ask about a confusing event or behavior, as in 昨日の沈黙はどういう意味ですか。
Try this instead: For events and behavior, use どういうことですか: 昨日の沈黙はどういうことですか。 (Kinō no chinmoku wa dō iu koto desu ka.) 意味 is mainly for words and symbols; こと is for situations and actions.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You hear a colleague say お疲れさまです but do not understand when to use it. Ask what it means.
Show a sample answer
すみません、お疲れさまですはどういう意味ですか。
This uses the polite どういう意味ですか with the phrase as the topic marked by は. Adding すみません softens the question. A valid alternative is お疲れさまですはどういうことですか if you are asking about the situation of use rather than the words themselves.
2You think 遠慮する means 'to refuse,' but you are not sure. Check your guess politely.
Show a sample answer
遠慮するは「断る」という意味ですか。
The pattern 〜という意味ですか checks a guessed meaning. Here 断る (kotowaru) is placed before という意味ですか. Note that 遠慮する can also mean 'to hold back' or 'to refrain,' so a fuller answer may need どういうことですか.
3A friend explains a custom, but you need a concrete example. Ask for one.
Show a sample answer
例えば、どういうことですか。
This asks for a concrete situation, not just a definition. It works after a general explanation. You could also say 例えば、どんな時ですか (tatoeba, donna toki desu ka) when asking specifically about timing.
When cultural context is unclear, ask どういう意味ですか for words and どういうことですか for situations, and check your guess with 〜という意味ですか。
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