How do you say "What is this?" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use これはなんですか (kore wa nan desu ka) when you want to ask what something is.

It works for an object, a form, a sign, a menu item, a message, or something shown on a screen.

Chunk or pattern

• Reusable pattern: 〜 は / なん ですか
• Replace 〜 with the thing you want to ask about.
• Good swaps: これは, このことばは, このしょるいは.

Helper words and endings

• これ: this.
• は: marks what you are asking about.
• なんですか: asks “what is it?”

Practical note

This is one of the safest first questions when you do not know what something is. Pointing at the thing makes it much clearer.