SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ja-what-is-this

How do you ask 'What is this?' while pointing at something in Japanese?

Kore wa nan desu ka. (これは何ですか。)

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  1. Kore wa doko desu ka. (これはどこですか。)
  2. Kore wa ikura desu ka. (これはいくらですか。)
  3. Kore wa nan desu ka. (これは何ですか。) ✔

Why: Nan means what. Kore means this thing close to you, sore means near the listener, and are means over there. The wrong choices ask where it is and how much.

Huh, didn't know that: In the skit the answer is simple: 'Ocha desu', meaning it's tea.

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When you look at your sushi rolls, what do you see? I just seafood.
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References

Answer: Kore wa nan desu ka. (これは何ですか。). Nan means what. Kore means this thing close to you, sore means near the listener, and are means over there. The wrong choices ask where it is and how much.

  1. NHK WORLD-JAPAN Easy Japanese, Lesson 9 www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/lesson/en/lessons/09.html
    Sumimasen. Kore wa nan desu ka. Excuse me. What is this?
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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