Japanese for Beginners: Ask How to Pronounce a Word and Repeat It Back
Learn to ask how a Japanese word is pronounced and repeat it back for confirmation, using 何と読みますか and 〜ですね. Perfect for building pronunciation confidence.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you encounter a new Japanese word, you may want to know how to say it aloud. This lesson teaches you two essential skills: asking 'How do you read this word?' and repeating the pronunciation back to check you heard it correctly. Unlike asking someone to repeat something they just said, these phrases focus on learning the pronunciation of a specific written word. You will practice with common question patterns and confirmation responses, so you can confidently learn new vocabulary from native speakers or teachers.
By the end, you can…
- ask how to pronounce a specific Japanese word using 何と読みますか。
- repeat a word back with 〜ですね to confirm I heard it correctly.
- understand and respond when someone asks me how to read a word.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
この言葉は何と読みますか。
How do you read this word?
Kono kotoba wa nan to yomimasu ka.
Use when pointing to a written word you want to pronounce. 言葉 (kotoba) means 'word' or 'expression'.
これは何と読みますか。
How do you read this?
Kore wa nan to yomimasu ka.
More general; use when the word is clear from context, like pointing at a sign or a single kanji.
（言葉）ですね。
It's 〜, right?
(word) desu ne.
Repeat the word you heard before ですね to confirm. For example, if you hear さくら, say さくらですね。 The 〜 is a placeholder and is not spoken.
もう一度お願いします。
One more time, please.
Mō ichido onegaishimasu.
Use if you didn't catch the pronunciation and need to hear it again. This is a polite request.
ゆっくりお願いします。
Slowly, please.
Yukkuri onegaishimasu.
Ask the speaker to slow down if the word is long or difficult. Very useful for beginners.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern for asking pronunciation is: [word] + は + 何と読みますか。 For example, この漢字は何と読みますか。 (How do you read this kanji?) or お名前は何と読みますか。 (How do you read your name?). To confirm, repeat the word and add ですね。 For instance, if someone says とうきょう, you say とうきょうですね。 (It's Tōkyō, right?). This pattern works for any word, whether it's written in kanji, hiragana, or katakana.
When to use it
Use 何と読みますか when you see a written word and want to know its pronunciation. This is different from asking someone to repeat something they said (もう一度お願いします). For example, if you see a menu item 天ぷら and don't know how to say it, ask これは何と読みますか。 After hearing the answer てんぷら, confirm with てんぷらですね。 This shows you are listening and helps you remember. Use the polite form ますか with strangers, teachers, or in service situations. With close friends, you can use the casual 何て読むの？
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この言葉は何と読みますか。
Excuse me, how do you read this word?Sumimasen, kono kotoba wa nan to yomimasu ka.ああ、それは「さくら」と読みますよ。
Oh, that is read as 'sakura'.Ā, sore wa 'sakura' to yomimasu yo.さくらですね。ありがとうございます。
It's 'sakura', right? Thank you.Sakura desu ne. Arigatō gozaimasu.はい、そうです。
Yes, that's right.Hai, sō desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese, asking for pronunciation is common and polite when done with すみません or お願いします. Repeating back with ですね shows attentiveness and is appreciated. However, avoid overusing ですね in formal writing or when speaking to superiors; in those cases, a simple わかりました (I understand) may be more appropriate. Also, when asking about someone's name, use お名前は何と読みますか。 to show respect.
One thing to watch for
Using 何と言いますか (nan to iimasu ka) to ask for pronunciation.
Try this instead: 何と言いますか means 'How do you say [it]?' and is used for translation or wording, not reading. For pronunciation of a written word, use 何と読みますか。 Example: この漢字は何と読みますか。 (How do you read this kanji?) vs. これは英語で何と言いますか。 (How do you say this in English?)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You see the word 寿司 and want to know how to pronounce it. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
これは何と読みますか。
This asks 'How do you read this?' and is appropriate for a word you can point to. You could also say この言葉は何と読みますか。 if you want to be more specific.
2Someone tells you the pronunciation is すし. How do you confirm?
Show a sample answer
すしですね。
Repeat the word and add ですね to confirm. This shows you heard correctly. If you are unsure, you could also ask すしですか。 with a rising intonation.
3You didn't catch the pronunciation because the speaker spoke too fast. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
ゆっくりお願いします。
This politely asks the speaker to slow down. Alternatively, もう一度お願いします。 asks for one more time. Both are polite and useful.
To learn a word's pronunciation, ask 何と読みますか。 Then repeat it back with 〜ですね to confirm. This simple exchange helps you master new words accurately and politely.
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