Translation guide
A phrase used to make suggestions, ask for opinions, or propose alternatives. Japanese uses different patterns depending on the function.
How about this?
How about you?
Proposing an idea or course of action to someone.
A polite and common way to suggest something. Attach to a noun or nominalized phrase.
How about a movie?
How about tomorrow?
Casual version of 〜はどうですか. Used among friends or in informal situations.
How about this?
Polite invitation pattern. Verb stem + ませんか. More directly invites the listener to do something together.
How about eating together?
Casual invitation. Plain negative form of verb + ない？. Very informal.
How about taking a break?
Seeking someone's thoughts, feelings, or evaluation about something.
Same pattern as suggestion, but used to ask for an opinion. Context distinguishes the function.
Proposing a different option when the first is not suitable.
Again, the same pattern works for alternatives. Often used after a negative response.
Returning a question or asking for the other person's situation.
Used to ask back. Often with あなたは or the person's name.
The English phrase 'how about' does not have a single direct equivalent. Using どう about without proper structure can be confusing. Always attach it to a topic with は.
How about a movie?
〜はどうですか is a general suggestion or opinion request. 〜ませんか is a direct invitation to do something together. Use 〜ませんか when you want to include the listener in the action.
How about this dish? (What do you think of it?)
Explicitly asks 'What do you think about ~?'. More direct than 〜はどうですか.
How about this plan? (What do you think?)
Casual version for asking opinions.
How about this color?
Then how about Friday?
Very casual and shortened. Implies 'how about ~?'.
Then how about this one?
I'm fine. How about you?
Casual return question. Often just 〜は？ after stating your own situation.
I'll have coffee. How about you?
How about watching a movie? (invitation)