What does desu ka mean?

"Desu ka" (でしょうか) in Japanese is used as a question particle to express inquiry or uncertainty. It can be translated as "is it?" or "right?" and is used to ask questions in a more polite or tentative manner. It is a versatile phrase that can be added to the end of various verb forms, adjectives, or nouns to form a question. It can also be used in combination with other question words such as "doko" (where), "itsu" (when), or "nani" (what). Here are some examples of "desu ka" usage:

- "Kore wa nani desu ka?" (What is this?)

- "Ano hito wa dare desu ka?" (Who is that person?)

- "Kono biru no iro wa ao desu ka?" (Is this building blue?)

- "Ashita wa tenki desu ka?" (Will it be sunny tomorrow?)

- "Kono densha wa doko e ikimasu ka?" (Where does this train go?)

By adding "desu ka" to the end of these sentences, the speaker creates questions with a polite tone and seeks information from the listener.