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Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 25

Structure of と~と~どちらが:

Noun (A) + + Noun (B) + + どちら(1) +
Verb1 + こと(1) + + Verb2 + こと(1) + + どちら(1) +

(1) どちらのほう、どっち、どっちのほう

Details about と~と~どちらが:

と~と、どちらが is an expression in Japanese that is made from the following parts:
- The particle (x2) in its meaning of 'and'.
どちら - The polite speech form of (だれ) 'who', and a slightly newer form of どっち that basically means 'which'.
- The case marking particle
This structure is used when the speaker is asking a question about whether someone will choose (A) or (B). It is only used when there are no more than two possible choices.
  • ピザラーメンどちら()です
    Between pizza and ramen, which do you prefer?
  • 漢字(かんじ)()こと漢字(かんじ)()ことどちら得意(とくい)です
    Between writing and reading kanji, which are you more confident with?
  • 遊園地(ゆうえんち)()動物園(どうぶつえん)()どちらいいです
    Between going to the amusement park, and going to the zoo, which is better?
As can be seen above, verbs may be used as part of this structure if they are nominalized with こと, or . Additionally, the polite form does not specifically need to be used, and どっち may be used instead.
  • (から)(もの)(あま)(もの)どっち()
    Between something spicy and something sweet, which do you like more?
The second itself is quite often omitted, as どちら (or どっち) implies that both (A) and (B) are part of the same structure.
  • (わたし)彼女(かのじょ)どっち()
    Between me and her, who do you like?
と~と~どちらが

Usage Notes for と~と~どちらが:

どちらのほう (or どっちのほう) may also be used, but this does not really change the overall nuance. It merely puts slightly more emphasis on the 'direction' of the choice. This is similar to expressions like 'which one are you leaning towards?' in English.
  • ワインビールどちら(ほう)()たいです
    Between wine and beer, which would you want to drink more?

Synonyms for と~と~どちらが:

のなかで~がいちばん~
Out of ~, ~ is the best/most ~

Example of と~と~どちらが

コーヒー(ちゃ)どちらほしいです

Between coffee and tea, which do you want?

マンガ()こと新聞(しんぶん)()ことどちら()です

Between reading manga and reading the newspaper, which do you like?

スポーツすることゲームすることどちら上手(じょうず)です

Between playing sports and playing video games, which are you better at?

ひらがなカタカナどちら(おぼ)えにくいです

Between hiragana and katakana, which one is more difficult to remember?

エベレストK2どちら(たか)

Between Everest and K2, which one is taller?

Grammar same lesson

かい

Question marker
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~た所(ところ)だ

Just finished doing, Was just doing
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ながら

While ~ing, During, As
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続(つづ)ける

To continue
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なければいけない

Must do, Have to do
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