Japanese Clarifying Questions: Asking "What Do You Mean By...?" at Intermediate Level
Learn to ask precise clarifying questions in Japanese using どういう意味ですか, 〜とはどういうことですか, and related patterns to understand what someone means without guessing.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you don't understand what someone means in Japanese, simply saying わかりません (wakarimasen, I don't understand) often isn't enough. You need to ask targeted clarifying questions: What do you mean by that? What does that word mean? Could you explain that a bit more? This lesson teaches intermediate-level patterns for asking about meaning, focusing on understanding rather than confirming. You'll learn to use どういう意味ですか (dou iu imi desu ka), 〜とはどういうことですか (〜 to wa dou iu koto desu ka), and どういうことですか (dou iu koto desu ka) naturally in conversation. These questions help you get specific explanations, avoid misunderstandings, and keep a conversation going when a word or idea is unclear. We'll practice with realistic dialogue and point out common mistakes, such as using どういう意味ですか when you actually need to ask about a whole situation, or confusing 意味 (imi, meaning) with こと (koto, thing/matter). By the end, you'll be able to ask for clarification politely and precisely in many everyday situations.
By the end, you can…
- ask what a specific word or phrase means using どういう意味ですか.
- ask what someone means by a statement using 〜とはどういうことですか or どういうことですか.
- request a simpler explanation with もっと簡単に説明してもらえますか.
- ask for an example to clarify meaning 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…
どういう意味ですか。
What does it mean? / What do you mean?
dou iu imi desu ka
Use when asking about the meaning of a word, phrase, or expression. Very common and neutral-polite.
〜とはどういうことですか。
What do you mean by ~? / What does ~ mean?
~ to wa dou iu koto desu ka
Use when you want an explanation of a statement, concept, or situation, not just a dictionary definition. Attach to a noun or short phrase.
どういうことですか。
What do you mean? / What's going on?
dou iu koto desu ka
General clarification question about a situation or someone's remark. Can sound slightly surprised or concerned depending on tone.
もっと簡単に説明してもらえますか。
Could you explain it more simply?
motto kantan ni setsumei shite moraemasu ka
Polite request for a simpler explanation. Useful when the first explanation was too difficult.
例えばどういうことですか。
For example, what do you mean? / Could you give an example?
tatoeba dou iu koto desu ka
Ask for a concrete example to clarify an abstract explanation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern for asking about meaning is どういう + noun + ですか. With 意味 (imi, meaning), you ask about a word or expression: 「この言葉はどういう意味ですか。」(Kono kotoba wa dou iu imi desu ka, What does this word mean?). With こと (koto, thing/matter), you ask about a statement or situation: 「それはどういうことですか。」(Sore wa dou iu koto desu ka, What do you mean by that?). To focus on a specific quoted phrase, use 〜とはどういうことですか: 「『リスクを取る』とはどういうことですか。」('Risuku o toru' to wa dou iu koto desu ka, What does 'take a risk' mean?). Note that とは often implies you want a definition or explanation, not just a translation.
When to use it
Use どういう意味ですか when a single word or short phrase is unclear. Use 〜とはどういうことですか when someone makes a claim or uses a concept you want explained in more detail. Use どういうことですか when the whole situation or a previous statement confuses you. For a simpler explanation, say もっと簡単に説明してもらえますか. For an example, say 例えばどういうことですか. These questions are polite and natural in conversations with coworkers, teachers, or friends. Avoid asking どういう意味ですか about a whole situation; it can sound as if you're asking for a dictionary definition. Instead, use どういうことですか.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
来週までにこのプロジェクトを進めておいてください。
Please go ahead and proceed with this project by next week.Raishuu made ni kono purojekuto o susumete oite kudasai.すみません、「進めておいて」とはどういうことですか。
Excuse me, what do you mean by 'susumete oite'?Sumimasen, 'susumete oite' to wa dou iu koto desu ka.つまり、計画を立てて、できるところまで作業を始めてほしいという意味です。
In other words, I mean that I want you to make a plan and start working as far as you can.Tsumari, keikaku o tatete, dekiru tokoro made sagyou o hajimete hoshii to iu imi desu.わかりました。もう少し具体的に、例えばどういうことですか。
I see. More specifically, for example, what do you mean?Wakarimashita. Mou sukoshi gutai-teki ni, tatoeba dou iu koto desu ka.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese, clarifying questions are often softened with すみません (sumimasen) or ちょっと (chotto) before the question, especially in workplace or formal contexts. Directly saying どういう意味ですか can sound abrupt if your tone is flat; adding すみませんが (sumimasen ga, excuse me but) or 恐れ入りますが (osoreirimasu ga, I'm sorry to trouble you but) makes it more polite. With friends, どういうこと？ (dou iu koto?) is common and casual. Also, Japanese speakers may use つまり (tsumari, in other words) or 要するに (you suru ni, in short) when rephrasing, so listening for these can help you follow clarifications.
One thing to watch for
Using どういう意味ですか to ask about a whole situation, e.g., それはどういう意味ですか after someone explains a complex plan.
Try this instead: For a situation or statement, use どういうことですか or 〜とはどういうことですか. Example: 「それはどういうことですか。」(Sore wa dou iu koto desu ka, What do you mean by that?). Reserve どういう意味ですか for words or expressions, like 「この単語はどういう意味ですか。」(Kono tango wa dou iu imi desu ka, What does this word mean?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You hear a new word リスケ (risuke) and want to know its meaning. What do you ask?
Show a sample answer
リスケはどういう意味ですか。
This asks for the meaning of the word リスケ. You could also say リスケとはどういう意味ですか, but どういう意味ですか is the most direct for a word.
2Your colleague says 「後でいい感じにしておいて」and you don't understand what they mean by the whole instruction. What clarifying question fits best?
Show a sample answer
それはどういうことですか。
Because the confusion is about a statement or situation, どういうことですか is appropriate. どういう意味ですか would sound like you're asking for a dictionary definition of the phrase.
3You want a concrete example to understand an abstract explanation. What phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
例えばどういうことですか。
This asks for an example. You could also say 例えばどういう意味ですか if asking about a word, but for a situation, どういうことですか is better.
Use どういう意味ですか for words, 〜とはどういうことですか or どういうことですか for statements and situations, and add 例えば or もっと簡単に to get examples or simpler explanations.
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