Japanese Conversation · Level 131
60 words
Japanese word
うかがう
Pronunciation
Romajiukagau
Meaning
- verbask
Example
分からないことは先生にうかがいます。wa ka ra na i ko to wa sen sei ni u ka ga i ma su
I ask my teacher about things I do not understand.
More examples
失礼ですが、お名前をうかがってもいいですか。shitsu rei de su ga o na mae o u ka ga tte mo i i de su ka
Excuse me, may I ask your name?
Core concept
Expresses a humble approach to someone, whether to visit them, ask them something, or hear from them.
Common phrases
お名前をうかがうo na mae o u ka ga u
ask someone's name
先生にうかがうsen sei ni u ka ga u
ask a teacher
ご都合をうかがうgo tsu gō o u ka ga u
ask about someone's availability
Similar words
聞くkiku: To ask someone for information in ordinary speech.
尋ねるtazuneru: To ask someone for specific information or directions.
Definition in Japanese
相手を敬って、知りたいことを尋ねること。ai te o uyama tte shi ri ta i ko to o tazu ne ru ko to
Word origin
The native verb うかがう (ukagau) comes from the older form うかがふ (ukagafu), meaning "to inquire"; the modern senses extend this respectful inquiry to asking, hearing, and visiting.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 伺います (ukagaimasu) sounds more humble than 聞きます (kikimasu) when asking a teacher or another respected person a question.