Discussing Customs in Japanese: 'In My Country, We...' and Asking Questions
Learn to describe customs from your country in Japanese and ask about Japanese customs using では and はどうですか. Intermediate conversation practice.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you want to talk about customs in your country and compare them with Japan, you need more than just vocabulary. You need to know how to introduce your own customs naturally and how to ask about Japanese ones without sounding rude or overly direct. This lesson focuses on the patterns では (de wa) for 'in [my country]' and はどうですか (wa dou desu ka) for 'how about...?' You will learn to share customs, ask follow-up questions, and respond appropriately. The goal is to have a smooth cultural exchange, not just to list facts. We will practice with common customs like greetings, meals, and holidays.
By the end, you can…
- describe a custom from my country using では.
- ask about a Japanese custom using はどうですか.
- respond to questions about customs with appropriate politeness.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
私の国では、初対面のとき、握手をします。
In my country, when meeting someone for the first time, we shake hands.
Watashi no kuni de wa, hatsutaimen no toki, akushu o shimasu.
Use では after 私の国 to mean 'in my country'. 初対面のとき means 'when meeting for the first time'.
日本では、お辞儀をしますか。
In Japan, do you bow?
Nihon de wa, ojigi o shimasu ka.
Asking about Japanese customs. お辞儀 is the polite word for bowing.
食事のとき、いただきますと言います。
When eating, we say 'itadakimasu'.
Shokuji no toki, itadakimasu to iimasu.
いただきます is said before a meal. と言います means 'we say'.
それは面白いですね。私の国では、あまりしません。
That's interesting. In my country, we don't do that much.
Sore wa omoshiroi desu ne. Watashi no kuni de wa, amari shimasen.
A polite response showing interest. あまり～しません means 'don't do ~ much'.
お正月はどうですか。
How about New Year?
Oshōgatsu wa dō desu ka.
Asking about a specific custom. はどうですか is a versatile phrase for 'how about...?'
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern [Place] では、[custom] をします/と言います is used to describe customs. For example, 私の国では、パーティーでプレゼントを開けます (In my country, we open presents at parties). To ask about another country's custom, use [Place] では、[custom] はどうですか。For example, 日本では、結婚式はどうですか (In Japan, how about weddings?). You can also ask yes/no questions: 日本では、靴を脱ぎますか (In Japan, do you take off your shoes?).
When to use it
Use these patterns in casual conversations with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances when discussing cultural differences. They are neutral-polite and safe in most situations. Avoid using them in very formal business settings without adding honorifics; instead, use いかがですか instead of どうですか for extra politeness. For example, 日本では、お辞儀をなさいますか (Do you bow in Japan?) is more respectful. Also, when talking about your own country, be careful not to generalize too much; use たいてい (usually) or よく (often) to soften statements.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
私の国では、初対面のとき、ハグをします。日本ではどうですか。
In my country, when meeting for the first time, we hug. How about in Japan?Watashi no kuni de wa, hatsutaimen no toki, hagu o shimasu. Nihon de wa dō desu ka.日本では、初対面のときは、お辞儀をします。ハグはあまりしません。
In Japan, when meeting for the first time, we bow. We don't hug much.Nihon de wa, hatsutaimen no toki wa, ojigi o shimasu. Hagu wa amari shimasen.そうですか。では、友達に会うときはどうですか。
I see. Then, how about when meeting friends?Sō desu ka. Dewa, tomodachi ni au toki wa dō desu ka.友達の場合は、握手をしたり、軽くお辞儀をしたりします。
In the case of friends, we shake hands or bow lightly.Tomodachi no baai wa, akushu o shitari, karuku ojigi o shitari shimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese conversations about customs, it's common to use softening phrases like ～たり～たりします to list examples without being exhaustive, and あまり～ません to avoid strong negatives. Also, when describing your own country's customs, Japanese listeners may expect you to use では after the country name, but if you say 日本では, it can sound like you're excluding yourself from Japan. To include yourself, you can say 日本にいると (when in Japan) or 日本の習慣では (in Japanese customs). Pay attention to politeness level: どうですか is fine with peers, but with superiors, use いかがですか.
One thing to watch for
Using に instead of では to mean 'in my country': 私の国に、握手をします。
Try this instead: Use では for 'in [place]' when describing customs: 私の国では、握手をします。The particle に marks direction or location of existence, not the setting for a custom. For example, 日本では、お辞儀をします is correct, while 日本に、お辞儀をします is wrong.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'In my country, we celebrate birthdays with a cake'?
Show a sample answer
私の国では、誕生日をケーキでお祝いします。
This uses では to set the location and で to indicate the means (cake). You could also say 私の国では、誕生日にケーキを食べます, which is also correct.
2Ask your Japanese friend: 'In Japan, do you give gifts at Christmas?'
Show a sample answer
日本では、クリスマスにプレゼントをあげますか。
This uses では for location and に for time. あげますか is polite. You could also use 贈りますか for more formal giving.
3Respond to: '私の国では、パーティーで踊ります。' (In my country, we dance at parties.)
Show a sample answer
それは楽しそうですね。日本では、あまり踊りません。
This shows interest and compares with Japan. あまり～ません softens the negative. Alternatively, you could say 日本では、踊る人もいますよ to be more positive.
Use では to set the country and はどうですか to ask about customs. Soften statements with あまり～ません and ～たり～たりします. Always adjust politeness to your listener.
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