Question 1

What does 授業中に mean and why is に used here?

Accepted Answer

授業中 (じゅぎょうちゅう) literally means “during class.” Adding に after a time expression indicates the point or period when an action occurs. So 授業中に = “while class is in session.”

Note: You might also see 授業中で, but 中に emphasizes the timing (“at some moment in the class period”) and is more common for saying “during.”

Question 2

Why is 先生に used before 質問をします?

Accepted Answer

In Japanese, the person to whom you direct an action (the indirect object) is typically marked by に when the verb involves giving, receiving, or asking. Here, 先生に marks the teacher as the recipient of the question. Literally: “to the teacher (に), a question (を), do (します).”

Question 3

Why do we say 質問をします instead of just 質問します?

Accepted Answer

Both 質問します and 質問をします are grammatically correct. 質問 is a noun (“question”), and する is the verb “to do.” Including を makes the object–verb relationship explicit, while dropping を is common in casual speech. Either form is acceptable in polite conversation.

Question 4

Is 質問 a verb? How does 質問する work?

Accepted Answer

質問 is a noun meaning “question.” To turn it into a verb you attach する (to do), forming 質問する = “to ask a question.” In polite form, you say 質問します.

Question 5

Why is the order 授業中に先生に質問をします, not something like 先生に授業中に質問をします?

Accepted Answer

Japanese uses a general order of Time – Place – Object – Verb. Here:  
  • Time: 授業中に  
  • (Place is omitted)  
  • Indirect object: 先生に  
  • Direct object: 質問を  
  • Verb: します  
You can rearrange time/time phrases for emphasis, but the pattern above is the most neutral and natural.

Question 6

Why is there no subject (like 私は) in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Japanese often drops the subject when it’s clear from context. Since the speaker (“I”) is understood, 私は is omitted. If you want to state it explicitly, you can say 私は授業中に先生に質問をします, but it’s unnecessary in most conversations.

Question 7

Can I change the politeness? For example, use 授業中に先生に質問をする?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 質問をする is the plain/dictionary form and is used in casual speech or writing. 質問をします is the polite form. So:  
  • Casual/plain: 授業中に先生に質問をする  
  • Polite: 授業中に先生に質問をします

Question 8

Could I use a different verb like 聞く instead of 質問する?

Accepted Answer

You could say 先生に聞きます, meaning “I ask (the teacher).” However, 聞く more generally means “to listen” or “to ask” (a question), whereas 質問する explicitly means “to pose a question.” 質問する is therefore clearer when you want to emphasize “asking a question.”

zyugyoutyuu ni sensei ni situmon wo simasu.

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