Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 22
Structure of かどうか:
Verb + か + どう + か + Phrase
[い]Adjective + か + どう + か + Phrase
[な]Adjective + か + どう + か + Phrase
Noun + か + どう + か + Phrase
Details about かどうか:
かどうか is an expression in Japanese which combines the 'or' meaning of か, with the 'how' meaning of どう. (A) かどうか (B) is regularly translated as 'whether or not (A), (B)'.
To use かどうか, simply attach it to the end of any phrase that you want to express the 'or' use of か about, then add the (B) phrase.
To use かどうか, simply attach it to the end of any phrase that you want to express the 'or' use of か about, then add the (B) phrase.
- サチコと付き合うかどうか分からない。I don't know whether or not I will go out with Sachiko.
- 水が汚いからこの川が深いかどうか分からない。Since the water is dirty, I don't know whether or not this river is deep.
- この携帯が便利かどうか分からない。I don't know whether or not this cell phone is useful.
- 目が悪いからあそこにいるのが父親かどうかわからない。Because I have bad eyes, I don't know whether or not the person over there is my father.
かどうか
Usage Notes for かどうか:
Synonyms for かどうか:
か何か
Or something, Or something like that
Question-phrase + か
Including questions within sentences
〜でも 〜でも
Whether ~ or, Neither ~ or
~ても~なくても
Whether ~ or not
にしても~にしても
Regardless of whether
にしても
Even though, Even if, Even when, Also
にしろ~にしろ
Whether… or
か否か
Whether or not
Example of かどうか
旅行に行けるかどうかわからない。
I don't know whether or not I can go on a trip.
この食べ物は美味しいかどうかわからないので、食べてみたい。
Because I don't know whether or not it is delicious, I want to try eating this food.
サンタさんがいるかどうか探しています。
People are searching for whether or not Santa exists.
まだ日本に行けるかどうか、分からない。
I don't know whether or not I still can go to Japan.
今の動物は犬かどうか分からないけど、怖かった。
I don't know whether or not the animal I just saw was a dog, but it was frightening.
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