How is your Japanese learning?

[Xinfu]

Hi, a friend of mine is learning Japanese, and in idiomatic English how would a native English speaker phrase a question if he wanted to know whether the friend has been making progress in learning the Japanese? Are these OK?:

1.How have you been learning Japanese?
2.How much progress have you been making in Japanese

Are there other ways to express the same meaning?

[Rusty]

We wouldn't use your first proposal, as that's asking about the method(s) being used to learn the language.
The second question needs a question mark, but it otherwise perfect.

More colloquially, I would just ask "How's your Japanese going?" or "How's the Japanese?"

[Xinfu]

Originally Posted by Rusty

More colloquially, I would just ask "How's your Japanese going?" or "How's the Japanese?"

Thank you, Rusty.

But when we say the Japanese, doesn't it mean only the Japanese people?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I think the conjugation of the verb to be is the key to know whom/what you are talking about:

How are the Japanese? -> the people.
How is the Japanese? -> the language.

[poli]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

I think the conjugation of the verb to be is the key to know whom/what you are talking about:

How are the Japanese? -> the people.
How is the Japanese? -> the language. You would say: How is your Japanese? (not to good and shikata ga nai)

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[Xinfu]

Originally Posted by poli

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Is How is the Japanese the elliptic form of How is the Japanese that you are learning?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Poli: I was just working with Rusty's proposals, but thank you very much for the comment.

[Rusty]

"How's the Japanese going?" can be shortened to "How's the Japanese?" They both convey the same idea - the person is interested in hearing about the person's learning experience.
Some longer ways to say the same thing:
"How is the/your Japanese learning going/progressing?"
"How are your Japanese studies/classes going?"
"Are you doing well in your Japanese classes/studies?"

"How's your Japanese?" is asking about the level or skill one has in the language.
"How's your Japanese coming along?" is asking the same questions written above.

[Xinfu]

Originally Posted by Rusty

"How's the Japanese going?" can be shortened to "How's the Japanese?" They both convey the same idea - the person is interested in hearing about the person's learning experience.
Some longer ways to say the same thing:
"How is the/your Japanese learning going/progressing?"
"How are your Japanese studies/classes going?"
"Are you doing well in your Japanese classes/studies?"

"How's your Japanese?" is asking about the level or skill one has in the language.
"How's your Japanese coming along?" is asking the same questions written above.

Thank you, Rusty~