Use the phrase when you need to identify an object that is close to you, keeping the tone polite.
Use the phrase when you need to identify an object that is close to you, keeping the tone polite.
Dropping the particle は creates これ何ですか, which sounds abrupt and informal.
From the demonstrative これ ‘this’, the topic particle は, the interrogative 何 ‘what’, the copula です and the question particle か.
What does これは何ですか mean?
これは何ですか means “what is this?” – a polite way to ask about the identity of something nearby.
When should I use これは何ですか instead of それは何ですか?
Use これは何ですか for objects that are close to you; それは何ですか refers to something farther away.
Is これは何ですか appropriate in casual conversation?
It is polite and can be used in most situations, but in very casual settings you might say これ何？.
Can I replace です with だ in これは何ですか?
Replacing です with だ makes the phrase informal (これは何だ?) and changes the level of politeness.
How do I ask the same question about something far away?
Use それは何ですか to refer to an object that is not near the speaker.
What is the correct particle order in これは何ですか?
The order is demonstrative これ, topic particle は, interrogative 何, copula です, and question particle か.