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19. How & Why

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こんにちは
Hello
お元気ですか
How are you
元気です
I'm good
日本語はどうですか
How is your Japanese
いいです
It's good
少し話します
I speak a little
本当に
Really
どうやって勉強しましたか
How did you study
日本人の友達がいます
I have a Japanese friend
一緒に話しました
We talked together
どんな人ですか
What kind of person are they
一緒にご飯を食べます
We eat together
一緒に出かけます
We go out together
いいですね
That's nice
その友達は仕事をしますか
Does your friend work
ええ
Yeah
会社員です
They're an office worker
忙しいです
They're busy
へー
Huh
家族もいますか
Do they have family too
大きい家族です
A big family
息子も娘もいます
They have a son and a daughter
小さい子供です
Little kids
なぜ日本語が好きですか
Why do you like Japanese
日本語の言葉が好きです
I like Japanese words
小さい言葉は大きい意味があります
Small words have big meaning
知りませんでした
I didn't know that
本当にいいです
That's really good
どうして日本語を勉強しませんか
How come you don't study Japanese
私も勉強します
I'll study too
そう
Oh yeah
一緒に練習しますか
Shall we practice together
はい
Yes

Cultural Notes

なぜ vs どうして — formality changes the word

Both mean "why," but なぜ sounds serious or formal — you will hear it in news reports, speeches, and written Japanese. どうして is the everyday version, used with friends, family, and coworkers. Picking the wrong one is not a mistake, but using なぜ in casual chat can sound stiff, like saying "for what reason" instead of "how come" in English.

どう as a conversation starter

Japanese speakers use どうですか constantly to check in — about food, work, a movie, someone's day. It is one of the most useful conversation openers because it invites the other person to share their impression without putting them on the spot. You will hear it at restaurants (お味はどうですか), at work, and among friends catching up.

本当に — the universal Japanese reaction

本当に (and its casual form ほんとに or just ほんと？) is one of the most common reactions in Japanese conversation. It works like "really?" when surprised, "truly" when emphasizing, and "seriously?" when doubtful. You will hear Japanese speakers say it constantly — it is the go-to filler for showing you are engaged and listening.