Nihongo de nan desu ka

[ebear215]

If "Book wa Nihongo de nan desu ka?" translates as
"What is book in Japanese?" then wouldn't
"Hon wa nihongo de nan desu" be translated as "It is hon in Japanese."

If not how would you respong to a question like
"Book wa Nihongo de nan desu ka?"

I hope this wasn't confusing!
arigatou!

[richvh]

The correct answer to 「”Book"は日本語でなんですか」 ("Book" wa nihongo de nan desu ka) is 「”Book"は日本語で本です」 ("Book" wa nihongo de hon desu) or just 「本です」 (Hon desu) You definitely don't want "nan" (what) in the answer.

[ebear215]

Thanks a lot!

[Isao]

Also. You shouldn't ask this way because it will lead to misunderstood.
The proper way is:

~(SOMETHING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)~ WA NIHONGO DE NAN TO IIMASU KA ?

[AJBryant]

Though to be better framed, I'd suggest "book to wa..."

Tony

[Isao]

How can a particle "towa" be possible ? Never heard of it.

[mandolin]

'to' can also be used to indicate something being said. It isn't "towa". It's kind of like putting it in quotes, only while speaking.

"Usagi-san wa hayai naaa" to kame-san ga iimashita

"Mr. Rabbit is fast, huh..." said Mr. Turtle