Translation guide
Asking about the type, category, or characteristics of something. Japanese uses different question words depending on whether you expect a specific name, a general description, or a choice from a set.
どんな音楽が好きですか。
What kind of music do you like?
どんな人ですか。
What kind of person is he?
You want to know the exact kind, brand, or category of something, often expecting a noun answer.
The most common and versatile way to ask 'what kind of N'. It asks for a description or type, and the answer can be a noun or an adjective. Casual and widely used.
どんな音楽が好きですか。
What kind of music do you like?
どんな車を買いましたか。
What kind of car did you buy?
Similar to どんな, but slightly more formal or emphatic. Often used when asking for a definition or explanation of the nature of something.
どういう意味ですか。
What kind of meaning is that? / What do you mean?
どういう仕事をしているんですか。
What kind of work do you do?
Literally 'what N', used when asking for a specific category or purpose. Often expects a more concrete answer than どんな.
何の本を読んでいますか。
What kind of book are you reading? (e.g., novel, textbook)
何の料理が得意ですか。
What kind of cuisine are you good at?
You want to know the qualities, appearance, or nature of something, often expecting an adjective or descriptive phrase.
Again, どんな is the go-to pattern. It naturally elicits descriptive answers.
どんな人ですか。
What kind of person is he/she?
どんな天気でしたか。
What kind of weather was it?
Formal equivalent of どんな. Used in writing, speeches, or polite conversation.
どのようなご用件ですか。
What kind of business do you have? (formal)
You are asking someone to pick one type from a known or implied set of options.
Means 'which N' and is used when the options are understood from context. Not exactly 'what kind of', but often translates that way when the set is implied.
どの色がいいですか。
What kind of color do you like? (from these options)
どのサイズがありますか。
What kind of sizes do you have?
Standalone 'which one'. Use when the noun is already clear from context.
どれが一番好きですか。
What kind do you like best? (pointing at items)
You want to ask 'what kind?' without repeating the noun, often in response to a statement.
Casual contraction of どんなもの/こと. Used when the topic is already known.
A: 新しい車を買ったよ。B: どんなの？
A: I bought a new car. B: What kind?
Means 'what do you mean?' or 'what kind of thing are you talking about?'. Used to ask for clarification.
どういうことですか。
What kind of thing do you mean? / What do you mean?
どんな asks for a description or type (e.g., 'a fun person', 'a sports car'). 何の asks for a specific category or purpose (e.g., 'a history book', 'Italian food'). Use どんな when you want an adjective-like answer, 何の when you expect a noun category.
どんな本？ → 面白い本。
What kind of book? → An interesting book.
何の本？ → 歴史の本。
What kind of book? → A history book.
If you are choosing from visible or known options, use どの or どれ, not どんな. どんな asks for a description, not a selection.
✕ どんなケーキがいい？ (when pointing at a display)
Intended: Which cake do you want?
○ どのケーキがいい？
Which cake do you want?