Nuance & Context

“Doko kara kita no?” – What Does It Really Mean?How to Ask About Someone’s Hometown in Natural JapaneseThe phrase “どこから来たの？” is widely used but often misunderstood. While native Japanese speakers may use it casually to mean “Where are you from?”, learners might interpret it differently.As teachers or learners, being aware of this ambiguity — and the cultural habits that cause it — is key to navigating real Japanese conversation.And ideally? Japanese speakers themselves should make an effort to be clear, especially when speaking with non-native speakers.But since that doesn’t always happen, learning the many expressions for asking about origin — with attention to politeness and nuance — is a powerful tool in your language journey.