What Does That Mean In Japanese

What Does That Mean in Japanese? A Complete Guide to Asking for Meaning

Asking "what does that mean in Japanese?On the flip side, unlike English—where "What does that mean?" works in almost every situation—Japanese requires you to deal with a complex web of politeness levels, writing systems, and cultural context. Here's the thing — " is one of the most fundamental skills a language learner can acquire. The phrase you choose tells the listener not just what you are asking, but who you are relative to them and how you perceive the situation.

Mastering these variations transforms you from a textbook student into a competent communicator. This guide breaks down every way to ask for meaning in Japanese, explaining the grammar, the nuance, and the specific scenarios where each phrase shines Easy to understand, harder to ignore..

The Two Core Questions: Meaning vs. Definition

Before diving into politeness levels, you must distinguish between two distinct concepts: asking for the definition of a word versus asking for the implication of a sentence But it adds up..

1. "What does this word mean?" — Imi (意味)

The noun 意味 means "meaning," "significance," or "definition." This is your go-to when you encounter a specific vocabulary word, a kanji character, or a set phrase you don't understand.

• Standard Polite: 意味は何ですか？ — Imi wa nan desu ka?
• Casual: 意味は何？ — Imi wa nani? (or Nani imi?)

Use this when pointing at a menu item, a sign, or a flashcard. It isolates the semantic value of a specific token.

2. "What do you mean by that?" — Dou iu koto? (どういう事？)

When someone says a full sentence and you are confused by the logic, intent, or implication—not just a single word—you use どういう事 or どういう意味.

• Standard Polite: どういう意味ですか？ — Dou iu imi desu ka?
• Standard Polite (Softer/Nuance-focused): どういう事ですか？ — Dou iu koto desu ka?
• Casual: どういう意味？ / どういう事？

Dou iu koto leans slightly more toward "What is the situation?" or "What are you implying?" while Dou iu imi leans toward "Define that phrase for me."

Navigating the Politeness Ladder (Keigo)

Japanese society operates on vertical relationships. Using the wrong register can sound childish, rude, or suspiciously intimate. Here is how to ask "What does that mean?" across the three main registers.

Casual Form (Tameguchi) — For Friends, Family, Peers

Drop the desu/ka and use plain dictionary forms.

• 何？ — Nani? (Very blunt. "What?")
• 何それ？ — Nani sore? ("What's that?" / "What does that mean?" regarding an object/word)
• どういう意味？ — Dou iu imi?
• 何て意味？ — Nante imi? ("What kind of meaning?")

Cultural Note: Even with close friends, *Nani?Practically speaking, * said with a falling intonation can sound aggressive. Add a sentence-ending particle like Nani yo? or Nani sa? to soften the tone Turns out it matters..

Standard Polite Form (Teineigo/Desu-Masu) — The Safe Default

Use this with strangers, coworkers of equal rank, shop staff, and teachers. This is the "survival Japanese" baseline.

• 意味は何ですか？ — Imi wa nan desu ka?
• どういう意味ですか？ — Dou iu imi desu ka?
• それはどういう意味ですか？ — Sore wa dou iu imi desu ka? ("What does that mean?")

Formal/Respectful Form (Sonkeigo/Kenjougo) — Business & Seniors

When speaking to a client, a boss, or someone significantly older, standard polite may feel too casual. You elevate the listener or humble yourself.

Asking a Superior to Explain (Respectful):

• どういうお意味でしょうか？ — Dou iu o-imi deshou ka? (Adding o- prefix to imi and using deshou for conjecture/politeness).
• ご説明いただけますか？ — Go-setsumei itadakemasu ka? ("Could you please explain?" — Highly recommended for business emails/meetings).

Humbling Your Own Lack of Knowledge (Humble):

• 意味が分かりかねますが、教えていただけますか？ — Imi ga wakari-kanemasu ga, oshiete itadakemasu ka? ("I cannot quite grasp the meaning; would you be so kind as to teach me?")

"That" vs. "This": Demonstratives Matter

In English, "that" covers distance. In Japanese, you must choose the correct kosoado word based on physical or psychological distance.

Common Mistake: A learner points at a kanji on their own textbook and asks the teacher, "Sore wa nan desu ka?" (What does that [near you] mean?). Correction: The book is near you. You must say "Kore wa nan desu ka?"

Asking About Readings: "How Do You Read This?"

Often, "What does that mean?" is actually a two-step process: you see Kanji, you need the reading (yomikata), then the meaning And it works..

• これは何と読みますか？ — Kore wa nan to yomimasu ka? ("How do you read this?")

Clarifying Ambiguity: "Which Meaning?" or "In This Context?"

Sometimes, a word has multiple meanings, or the explanation itself uses a word you don't understand. Knowing how to ask for clarification in a specific context is key to a smooth conversation.

• この文ではどういう意味ですか？ — Kono bun wa dou iu imi desu ka? ("What does it mean in this sentence?")
• これは、__ の場合、何意味着吗？ — Kore wa, __ no baai, nan desu ka? ("In the case of __, what would it mean?")
• __ という言葉は、ここでは何を表しているですか？ — __ to iu kotoba wa, koko ni wa nani o arawashite iru desu ka? ("What does the word '__' represent here?")

Pro Tip: If you understand the general meaning but not a specific part, you can point and ask: "この__ という部分が分かりません。" — Kono __ to iu bubun ga wakarimasen. ("I don't understand this part, '__'.")

Putting It All Together: A Practical Scenario

Imagine you are reading a Japanese article on your phone and encounter an unfamiliar phrase. Here’s how you might ask a colleague for help.

Scenario: You see the phrase "気の毒だ" (ki no doku da) Most people skip this — try not to..

1. Initial, Casual Ask (to a friend):

   • "ねえ、これ、『気の毒だ』って咩？" — Nee, kore, "ki no doku da" tte iu? ("Hey, what does this, 'ki no doku da', mean?")
   • Using "咩" (iu?) is very casual and friendly.

2. Polite Ask (to a coworker):

   • "すみません、この「気の毒」という言葉の意味を教えていただけますか？" — Sumimasen, kono "ki no doku" to iu kotoba no imi o oshiete itadakemasu ka? ("Excuse me, could you please tell me the meaning of the word 'ki no doku'?")

3. If the Colleague's Explanation is Unclear:

   • "あ、なるほど。でも、__ の場合、具体的に何を意味するんですか？" — A, naruhodo. Demo, __ no baai, gouteki ni nan o imi suru n desu? ("Ah, I see. But, in the case of __, what specifically does it mean?")
   • This shows you are actively trying to understand and provides the context they need to clarify.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of asking "What does that mean?" is more than memorizing phrases; it's about navigating the nuances of relationship and context. By choosing the right level of politeness, the correct demonstrative, and the precise question for your situation, you move from simply seeking a definition to engaging in meaningful, respectful communication. This linguistic flexibility is the hallmark of a confident Japanese speaker, capable of building rapport and clarity in any conversation.