by Tomoyuki Higuchi
How do you say “Do you play any instruments?” in Japanese?
Today’s phrase is :
Do you play any instruments?
何か楽器弾ける?
nanika* gakki hikeru
If you want to ask politely, you can say :
何か楽器弾けますか?
nanika* gakki hikemasuka
*We often pronounce “nanika” like “nanka” in casual conversation.
- Do you play …? = あなたは … 弾ける? anatawa … hikeru
- any = 何か nanika
- instruments = 楽器 gakki
We do not usually say “あなたは anatawa (= you)” in everyday conversation.
何か
any
+
楽器
instruments
+
あなたは 弾ける?
do you play?