Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 25
Structure of かい:
Verb + (の) + かい
[い]Adjective + (の) + かい
Noun + (なの) + かい
[な]Adjective + (なの) + かい
Details about かい:
The sentence ending particle かい is a grammar structure that is used in Japanese to highlight a question. Despite commonly being thought of as one word, it is actually the combination of か (the sentence-ending particle) and い, another sentence-ending particle that is primarily used by men (in a similar way to ね and よ).
かい will usually be used directly after the word/phrase that it is highlighting. In the case of verbs and い-Adjectives, の may be inserted before かい. For な-Adjectives and nouns, なの may be inserted directly before it. However, の (or なの) are frequently omitted, due to how casual かい is.
かい will usually be used directly after the word/phrase that it is highlighting. In the case of verbs and い-Adjectives, の may be inserted before かい. For な-Adjectives and nouns, なの may be inserted directly before it. However, の (or なの) are frequently omitted, due to how casual かい is.
- このドーナッツを食べたいのかい?Do you want to eat this donut?
- このおもちゃが欲しいのかい?Do you want this toy?
- 彼女は綺麗なのかい?Is your girlfriend pretty?
- 彼はいい人なのかい?Is he a good person?
- お前も一緒に行きたいんかい?Do you also want to come with me?
- 大学生なんかい。中学生だと思った。You are a college student? I thought you were a middle schooler.
- 勉強してるのかい?Are you studying?
かい
Usage Notes for かい:
Because かい is very casual, and quite direct, it often sounds like an accusation. Due to this, care should be taken with your tone of voice, so as not to be taken the wrong way.
- また鍵をなくしたんかい。You lost your keys again, didn't you?
Synonyms for かい:
か
Question marking particle
Example of かい
本当に行きたいのかい?
Do you really want to go?
これだけで十分なのかい?
Is just this enough?
その帽子を被って行くのかい?
Are you really going to go wearing that hat?
どうしたの?恥ずかしいのかい?
What's wrong? Are you embarrassed?
この番組を見たくないのかい?
You don't want to watch this TV program?
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