Desu and Ka

[fallout2]

I have yet to hear someone ask a question using only 'ka' and not 'desu ka'.

Is desu elevating the formality still, or is it necessary to say 'desu ka'.

Thanks for your time.

[becki_kanou]

If you're using it with another verb, you don't need desu. For example : Issho ni ikimasen ka? or Nihongo wa hanasemasu ka?

But if you're using it with a noun you need desu or you will sound VERY rude and abrupt
For example: Gakusei desu ka? (Are you a student?)=Normal Gakusei ka? (Are you a freakin' student, or what?)=Rude (or occasionally geezerish )

[crazymonkeywhee]

You usually don't put ka at the end of a question if you are taking informally. Rather, you just use a rising tone like you would in English.

[fallout2]

If you're using it with another verb, you don't need desu. For example : Issho ni ikimasen ka? or Nihongo wa hanasemasu ka?

But if you're using it with a noun you need desu or you will sound VERY rude and abrupt
For example: Gakusei desu ka? (Are you a student?)=Normal Gakusei ka? (Are you a freakin' student, or what?)=Rude (or occasionally geezerish )

Haha I can see how frustrating it'd be to speak to non-native speakers, it's easy to forget a word or two.

You usually don't put ka at the end of a question if you are taking informally. Rather, you just use a rising tone like you would in English.

Ah, I see.