Ask how something is or what someone thinks (どう / いかが)

The Manner & Perception Mental Model

In English, we ask: “What do you think?”. In Japanese, thoughts and impressions are not concrete physical objects sitting in your hands. Japanese treats thinking as a manner of perception: “HOW do you feel/think about this?”.

Therefore, asking for someone's viewpoint strictly requires the manner adverb どう (how): • この計画について、どう思いますか: “What do you think about this plan?” • Saying *何を思いますか sounds like: “What physical nouns are occupying your brain cavity right now?”.

The Three Everyday Functions of どう

1. Inquiring About Experience or Status: - 日本の生活はどうですか: “How is life in Japan?” - 昨日のテストはどうでしたか: “How was yesterday's test?”

2. Offering Food, Drinks, or Proposals: - コーヒーはどうですか: “How about some coffee?” - 明日の午後はどうですか: “How about tomorrow afternoon?”

3. Asking for Method & Solutions (どうやって / どうすれば): - 駅へはどうやって行きますか: “How (by what method) do you get to the station?” - どうすればいいですか: “What should I do? / How should I handle this?”

Politeness Nuance: どう vs いかが

Match your register to the situation: • Casual among peers (どう？): 味、どう？ (“How does it taste?”). • Standard Polite (どうですか): 仕事はどうですか (“How is work?”). • High Deference & Hospitality (いかがですか): - The formal equivalent of どう. Standard in business and customer service: - お茶はいかがですか: “Would you care for some green tea?” - ご都合はいかがでしょうか: “How would that suit your schedule?”