Translation guide
English 'how' covers many question types: manner, means, degree, state, and more. Japanese uses different question words and patterns depending on what you are asking. This guide organizes them by the kind of information you want.
How much is this?
You want to know the way something is done, or how something happens.
The most general and common way to ask 'how'. Used in casual and polite speech. Often combined with a verb.
How do you use this?
How do you get there?
More formal and explicit than どう. Literally 'in what way'. Common in writing and polite speech.
Specifically asks about the method or means. Very common in spoken Japanese.
How did you study Japanese?
Asks 'how do you do (something)?' using the noun form of a verb (方). Polite and natural.
How do you read this kanji?
You want to know someone's health, feelings, or the state of something.
Used to ask about condition or state. Often with ですか or casual だ.
You want to know how much, how far, how long, etc.
Asks about extent, amount, duration, distance. Very versatile.
You want to know a specific number, price, age, etc.
Asks 'how much' (price).
You want to ask 'how about...?' or 'what do you think?'
Standard way to ask 'how about...?' or 'what do you think of...?'
How was the movie?
You want to know why something is the case.
Common way to ask 'why' or 'how come'. Can be used in most situations.
You want to express surprise or emphasis: 'How beautiful!', 'How kind of you!'
Expresses 'how...!' in an emotional way. Casual.
How beautiful!
English 'how' is often part of fixed phrases that don't use どう in Japanese. For example, 'How are you?' is お元気ですか, not どうですか. 'How old are you?' is 何歳ですか or おいくつですか. Learn the natural Japanese question for each situation.
いかが is the polite version of どう. Use いかが in formal situations, with superiors, or in customer service. どう is fine for everyday conversation.
How about some tea? (polite)
How do you say 'thank you' in Japanese?
どのように問題を解決しましたか。
How did you solve the problem?
気分はどうですか。
How are you feeling?
How's the weather?
Polite equivalent of どう. Often used in formal situations or customer service.
How are you feeling? (polite)
How long does it take?
How far is it to the station?
Same meaning as どのくらい, slightly more casual.
How long did you wait?
Formal/literary version of どのくらい. Used in writing or formal speech.
It's unclear how much influence it has.
これはいくらですか。
How much is this?
Prefix for 'how many' or 'what number'. Combine with counters: 何人 (how many people), 何歳 (how old), 何回 (how many times).
How about some coffee? (polite)
Suggests doing something: 'how about doing...?'
How about taking a break?
How come you were late?
More formal/literary 'why'. Often used in writing or serious questions.
How come you think so? / Why do you think so?
Formal/written exclamatory 'how'. Often used in speeches or literature.
How kind!
お茶どう？
How about tea? (casual)
How long have you been in Japan?