How to ask a question?

In previous chapter we learn about function of 'kore', 'sore' and 'are'. We also learned how to construct basic sentences and simple reply. Today I would like to give example from basic conversation that contain all of element learned before with additional new information. Before that, I want to teach you how to convert basic sentence into basic question. We can  convert basic sentence into basic question by simply add 'ka' at the end of sentences

これ   (は)   [お]寿司   です       this is sushi

kore    (wa)    [o]sushi    desu

これ   (は)   [お]寿司   ですか       is this sushi?

kore    (wa)    [o]sushi    desuka

お is placed in front of nouns like food or drink to make them more polite, since Japanese is very polite we have to be careful to pick a words that suitable with degree of politeness required.

roy     : それ   (は)   何   ですか

ken    : これ   (は)   私   (の)    バッグ   です。この   なか   (に)

           本   (が)   あります

roy     : えんぴつ   (は)   ありますか

ken    :  いいえ,   えんぴつ   (は)   ありません

in above conversation, ken is reply with negative statement. If ken reply with a positive statement, it should be like this: 'はい, えんぴつ   (は)   あります'. 'あります' ('ありません' for negative) is translated as a 'have' (don't have for negative) but only applicable for non-move non-living thing, for moved living thing we replace 'あります' into 'います' ('いません' for negative).

私   (は)   母   (が)    い ます          I have a mother

watashi     (wa)    haha    (ga)    imasu

OK, see you in the next post and don't forget to comment