whether or not ~

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses uncertainty about something.

[Plain form] + かどうか

彼が来るかどうか分かりません。

Kare ga kuru ka douka wakarimasen.

I don't know whether he will come or not.

これが正しいかどうか確認してください。

Kore ga tadashii ka douka kakunin shite kudasai.

Please confirm whether this is correct or not.

Similar to か～か but かどうか is more common and slightly softer.

～か～か

whether ~ or ~

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

Often follows 分かる、知る、確認する.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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