When you try a new dish, two questions help you most: what is it, and what is in it. In this workshop you practice both, then listen to a short exchange and check your understanding. You will speak aloud, choose the right reply, and finally recall the whole exchange with the roles swapped. The recordings give you the exact lines to use, so you can practice without guessing.
Asking what something is
Start with the simplest question. «これは何ですか。» means "What is this?" Use it when you point at a dish or item near you. If you want to be polite before asking, add an opening word: «すみません、これは何ですか。» means "Excuse me, what is this?" The first part gets attention, and the second part asks the question. Practice saying both aloud. Keep your voice calm and let the question rise slightly at the end. When someone answers, listen for the name of the dish. In the recorded exchange, the reply is «それはお好み焼きです。», which means "That is okonomiyaki." The reply names the dish, so you can repeat it to confirm you heard correctly.
Asking what is inside
After you know the name, ask about the ingredients. «これは何が入っていますか。» means "What is in this?" Use it when you want a list of what the dish contains. If you want to ask about one ingredient, use a yes-or-no question. «肉が入っていますか。» means "Does this have meat?" and «卵は入っていますか。» means "Does this have egg?" These questions are useful when you have a food preference or allergy. Listen for the answer. In the recorded exchange, the reply is «キャベツと豚肉と卵が入っています。», which means "It has cabbage, pork, and egg." The reply lists three ingredients. Notice that the answer to «何が入っていますか。», which means "What is in it?", gives the ingredients directly. When you hear a list, you can repeat each item back to check.
Following the exchange
The recorded exchange has two speakers. Speaker A asks «すみません、これは何ですか。», "Excuse me, what is this?" Speaker B answers «それはお好み焼きです。», "That is okonomiyaki." Then Speaker A asks «何が入っていますか。», "What is in it?" Speaker B answers «キャベツと豚肉と卵が入っています。», "It has cabbage, pork, and egg." The order is question, answer, follow-up question, answer. When you practice, keep that order. If you swap roles, you change who reads each part, but the order stays the same. One learner can play both roles by reading along with the audio, but there is no automatic check of your pronunciation. Use the audio as a model and repeat each line until it feels comfortable.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
これは何ですか。
What is this?
Kore wa nan desu ka.
これは何が入っていますか。
What is in this?
Kore wa nani ga haitte imasu ka.
肉が入っていますか。
Does this have meat?
Niku ga haitte imasu ka.
卵は入っていますか。
Does this have egg?
Tamago wa haitte imasu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、これは何ですか。
Excuse me, what is this?それはお好み焼きです。
That is okonomiyaki.何が入っていますか。
What is in it?キャベツと豚肉と卵が入っています。
It has cabbage, pork, and egg.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and answer
You are at a food stall with a friend. You point at a dish and want to know its name and ingredients. Your partner has the recording lines.
Your task: Read Speaker A's lines aloud in order: first «すみません、これは何ですか。», then «何が入っていますか。». After each line, pause and let your partner read Speaker B's reply: «それはお好み焼きです。» for the first question, «キャベツと豚肉と卵が入っています。» for the second. Then swap roles and repeat, keeping the same order.
Choose the right reply
You hear a question and must choose the reply that matches it. The options come from the recordings.
Your task: Question 1: Someone asks «すみません、これは何ですか。». Which reply fits: «それはお好み焼きです。» or «キャベツと豚肉と卵が入っています。»? Question 2: Someone asks «何が入っていますか。». Which reply fits: «それはお好み焼きです。» or «キャベツと豚肉と卵が入っています。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply line.
Recall the exchange with swapped roles
You have practiced the exchange. Now cover the text and recall the lines from memory. Your partner will take the other role.
Your task: With your partner, perform the exchange from memory. Speaker A starts with the polite question, Speaker B answers with the dish name, Speaker A asks about ingredients, and Speaker B lists them. Then swap roles and perform it again without looking at the text.
Common questions
Can I practice alone without a partner?
Yes. Play the audio and read along with one role, then replay it and read the other role. You can also pause after each question and say the reply yourself. There is no automatic check, so use the recording as your model and repeat until you feel comfortable.
What if I only need to ask about one ingredient?
Use a yes-or-no question like «肉が入っていますか。» for meat or «卵は入っていますか。» for egg. These ask about a single ingredient, so the answer will be short. If you want the full list, use «これは何が入っていますか。» or «何が入っていますか。» instead.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about ingredientsChecked September 2026
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