彼は今誰かと話していますか？

Japanese
#1

I came across this sentence in a review which is translated as such:

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This is framing the question as asking whether or not he is in the act of talking with someone at this moment, rather than the asker knowing that he is talking with someone and simply wondering who that someone is.

My question is that it seems like you could also translate the top sentence as “Who is he talking with right now?”

If so, in what way can you tell which meaning the speakers is intending?
If not, what is the correct way of phrasing that question?

Thanks

#2

I don’t think it can be read that way. I think if you wanted to ask who he’s talking to you could simply change it to read:
「彼は今誰と話していますか？」 - Who is he talking with right now?
Just straight 「誰」 (who) instead of 「誰か」 (someone).

1 Like
#3

Yeah that makes sense to me. Thanks.