Phrase in 30 Seconds
This phrase is your essential tool for the classroom: it means 'to ask the teacher a question' using the polite particle 'ni'.
- Means: To pose a question specifically to an instructor or teacher.
- Used in: Classrooms, office hours, or when emailing a professor.
- Don't confuse: Don't use 'wo' for the teacher; always use 'ni' to show the direction.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
To pose an inquiry to an instructor.
Contexte culturel
In Japanese schools, students often wait until the end of the lesson to ask questions to avoid interrupting the teacher's flow and bothering classmates. This is a sign of respect for the group's time. When asking a question, it is polite to start with 'Sumimasen' (Excuse me) and end with 'Arigatou gozaimasu' (Thank you), even if the question was simple. In online settings like Zoom, Japanese students are more likely to use the chat function to ask questions rather than speaking up, as it feels less intrusive. In non-academic settings like a dojo or a traditional craft workshop, 'Sensei' is still the title used, and 'shitsumon suru' remains the standard way to seek guidance.
The 'Sumimasen' Opener
Always start with 'Sumimasen' before asking. It makes you sound much more natural and polite.
Particle 'Ni' is Key
Never use 'wo' for the teacher. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
The 'Sumimasen' Opener
Always start with 'Sumimasen' before asking. It makes you sound much more natural and polite.
Particle 'Ni' is Key
Never use 'wo' for the teacher. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Use 'Arimasu' for Nouns
If you forget the verb 'suru', you can just say 'Shitsumon ga arimasu' (I have a question). It's equally common.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing particle.
{先生|せんせい}_____{質問|しつもん}します。
The particle 'ni' is used to indicate the person you are asking.
Which sentence means 'I want to ask the teacher a question'?
Choose the correct form:
'-tai desu' is the form used to express desire.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
Student: すみません、{先生|せんせい}に________________？ Teacher: はい、いいですよ。
'...te mo ii desu ka' is the standard way to ask for permission.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are reporting to your friend that you asked the teacher a question yesterday.
The past tense 'shita' is used for reporting completed actions.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercices{先生|せんせい}_____{質問|しつもん}します。
The particle 'ni' is used to indicate the person you are asking.
Choose the correct form:
'-tai desu' is the form used to express desire.
Student: すみません、{先生|せんせい}に________________？ Teacher: はい、いいですよ。
'...te mo ii desu ka' is the standard way to ask for permission.
You are reporting to your friend that you asked the teacher a question yesterday.
The past tense 'shita' is used for reporting completed actions.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, but it's better to use 'shitsumon ga arimasu' or 'o-kiki shitai koto ga arimasu'. 'Sensei' is only for teachers.
No, it's perfectly fine. However, 'kiku' is more common in very casual settings.
質問 (shitsumon) is the act of asking. 疑問 (gimon) is the feeling of doubt or the question itself in your mind.
You can say '{たくさん|沢山}の{質問|しつもん}があります' or '{先生|せんせい}にたくさん{質問|しつもん}します'.
It depends on the teacher, but generally, waiting for a break or the end of class is safer in Japan.
Expressions liées
{先生|せんせい}に{聞|き}く
similarTo ask the teacher (more casual).
{先生|せんせい}に{相談|そうだん}する
builds onTo consult with the teacher.
{先生|せんせい}に{教|おし}えてもらう
similarTo have the teacher teach you.
{先生|せんせい}に{尋|たず}ねる
specialized formTo inquire of the teacher.
Où l'utiliser
In the middle of a Japanese class
Student: すみません、{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}してもいいですか？
Teacher: はい、どうぞ。なんですか？
After a university lecture
Student A: {授業|じゅぎょう}の{後|あと}で、{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}しに行こう。
Student B: いいですね。いっしょに行きましょう。
Writing an email to a professor
Student: {教科書|きょうかしょ}について、{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}があります。
Talking to a parent about school
Parent: {今日|きょう}は{学校|がっこう}で何をしましたか？
Child: {数学|すうがく}の{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}したよ。
At a martial arts dojo
Student: {先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}があります。この{形|かた}が{難|むずか}しいです。
In an online language forum
User: どなたか、{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}する方法を{教|おし}えてください。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Sensei' as the target (ni) of your 'Shitsumon' (Question) arrow.
Association visuelle
Imagine a student holding a giant question mark (?) and walking toward a teacher (Sensei) who is standing behind a gate (the 'mon' in Shitsumon).
Rhyme
To the Sensei, use 'ni', ask a Shitsumon, and you'll see!
Story
Once there was a student who was lost in a forest of books. He saw a wise Sensei and decided to 'Shitsumon suru'. He used the 'ni' bridge to reach the Sensei, and suddenly the path became clear.
In Other Languages
Similar to the English 'Ask a teacher', but remember that Japanese uses 'do a question' (shitsumon suru) rather than just 'ask' (kiku) in formal settings.
Word Web
Défi
Try to say 'Sensei ni shitsumon shimasu' five times fast, then write it down once in kanji.
Review this phrase before your next Japanese class or language exchange session.
Prononciation
The 'n' is a nasal sound, and the 'ei' is a long 'e' sound.
The 'u' in 'shitsu' is often devoiced (nearly silent).
Spectre de formalité
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}をいたします。 (General intent)
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}します。 (General intent)
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}するよ。 (General intent)
{先生|せんせい}に{聞|き}いちゃう。 (General intent)
The phrase combines 'Sensei' (one born before) with 'Shitsumon' (checking the substance at the gate). It reflects the Confucian roots of Japanese education where the teacher is a gatekeeper of knowledge.
Le savais-tu ?
The 'mon' in 'shitsumon' is the same 'mon' as in 'gate' (門), suggesting that every question is a way to open a new door.
Notes culturelles
In Japanese schools, students often wait until the end of the lesson to ask questions to avoid interrupting the teacher's flow and bothering classmates. This is a sign of respect for the group's time.
“{授業|じゅぎょう}が{終|お}わってから、{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}しました。”
When asking a question, it is polite to start with 'Sumimasen' (Excuse me) and end with 'Arigatou gozaimasu' (Thank you), even if the question was simple.
“{先生|せんせい}、すみません。{質問|しつもん}してもいいですか？”
In online settings like Zoom, Japanese students are more likely to use the chat function to ask questions rather than speaking up, as it feels less intrusive.
“チャットで{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}しました。”
In non-academic settings like a dojo or a traditional craft workshop, 'Sensei' is still the title used, and 'shitsumon suru' remains the standard way to seek guidance.
“{道場|どうじょう}で{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}する。”
Amorces de conversation
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}したことがありますか？
{授業|じゅぎょう}の{中|なか}で{質問|しつもん}するのは{好|す}きですか？
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}したいとき、どうしますか？
Erreurs courantes
{先生|せんせい}を{質問|しつもん}する
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}する
L1 Interference
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}を{聞|き}く
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}する
L1 Interference
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}を{言|い}う
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}する
L1 Interference
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}を{頼|たの}む
{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}する
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Ask the teacher a question
Japanese uses 'do a question' instead of 'ask a question'.
Hacer una pregunta al profesor
The structure is almost identical, but Spanish requires an article (una).
Poser une question au professeur
French uses 'poser' while Japanese uses 'suru' (do).
Dem Lehrer eine Frage stellen
German 'places' a question, Japanese 'does' a question.
طرح سؤال على المعلم
Arabic 'throws' a question 'on' the teacher.
向老师提问
Chinese uses a 'towards' preposition before the teacher.
선생님께 질문하다
Korean has more complex honorific particles for 'ni'.
Fazer uma pergunta ao professor
Requires the indefinite article 'uma' before the noun.
Spotted in the Real World
“{殺|ころ}{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}があります！”
A student raising their hand to ask their unique teacher a question.
“{先生|せんせい}に{質問|しつもん}できないやつは{落|お}ちる。”
A teacher explaining that students who don't ask questions will fail.
Facile à confondre
Learners often mix up 'asking a question' with 'asking a favor'.
If you want an answer, use 'shitsumon'. If you want an action, use 'tanomu'.
Using the wrong particle 'wo' instead of 'ni'.
Always use 'ni' for the person you are talking to.
Questions fréquentes (5)
Yes, but it's better to use 'shitsumon ga arimasu' or 'o-kiki shitai koto ga arimasu'. 'Sensei' is only for teachers.
usage contextsNo, it's perfectly fine. However, 'kiku' is more common in very casual settings.
practical tips質問 (shitsumon) is the act of asking. 疑問 (gimon) is the feeling of doubt or the question itself in your mind.
basic understandingYou can say '{たくさん|沢山}の{質問|しつもん}があります' or '{先生|せんせい}にたくさん{質問|しつもん}します'.
grammar mechanicsIt depends on the teacher, but generally, waiting for a break or the end of class is safer in Japan.
cultural usage
