Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "How" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "how", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
どう
どう (dō)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
いくつ
いくつ (ikutsu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "how" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between どう and いくつ.
In Japanese, どう (どう (dō)) is typically associated with "how, in what way" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Interrogative adverb used to ask about manner, condition, or opinion..
On the other hand, いくつ (いくつ (ikutsu)) maps to "how many; how old" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used to ask 'how many' items or 'how old' a person is. A literal translation of "how" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "どう"
日本語の勉強はどうですか。
How is your Japanese study?
Bilingual Context for "いくつ"
りんごがいくつありますか。 / お子さんはいくつですか。
How many apples are there? / How old is your child?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "日本語の勉強は ＿＿＿ ですか。" (Meaning: "How is your Japanese study?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "どう" fits here because it means "how, in what way" in the context of: "How is your Japanese study?". "いくつ" represents "how many; how old".