How do you say "What kind of document is this?" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use これはなんのしょるいですか (kore wa nan no shorui desu ka) when someone hands you a form or paper and you are not sure what it is.

It is useful before you sign, fill in, or submit something.

Chunk or pattern

Reusable pattern: これは / なん の / 〜 ですか

You can replace the last noun when you want to identify something.

Examples:

• これはなんのしょるいですか — What document is this?
• これはなんのてつづきですか — What procedure is this?
• これはなんのばんごうですか — What number is this?

Core words

• これ: this.
• なんの: what kind of / for what.
• しょるい: document or paperwork.

Helper words and endings

• は: marks これ as the thing you are asking about.
• の: connects なん to the noun after it.
• ですか: polite question ending.

Practical note

This is better than guessing from the form title. At public offices, similar-looking documents can have very different purposes.