Core Functions
か has 3 main uses:
- Question marker - turns statements into questions
- Choice - "or" between options
- Uncertainty - "whether/if" in embedded questions
1. Question Marker
Add か to make yes/no questions:
学生ですか？
"Are you a student?"
行きますか？
"Will you go?"
美味しいですか？
"Is it delicious?"
With Question Words
何を食べますか？ - "What will you eat?"
誰が来ますか？ - "Who is coming?"
どこに行きますか？ - "Where are you going?"
いつ行きますか？ - "When will you go?"
2. Choice (Or)
Between two or more options:
コーヒーか紅茶
"coffee or tea"
今日か明日
"today or tomorrow"
犬か猫か鳥
"dog, cat, or bird"
3. Embedded Questions (Whether/If)
In indirect questions - か marks uncertainty:
誰が来るか分かりません
"I don't know who's coming"
どこに行くか教えてください
"Please tell me where to go"
本当かどうか
"whether it's true or not"
Pattern: [Question]か + [Verb]
Casual Speech
In casual conversation, か is often dropped:
Formal: 行きますか？
Casual: 行く？
"Will you go?"
Rising intonation indicates question.
かどうか Pattern
"Whether or not":
行くかどうか分からない
"I don't know whether (I'll) go or not"
本当かどうか確認する
"confirm whether it's true or not"
Cannot Use か
In very polite/formal situations
Use more formal endings:
Less formal: 行きますか
More formal: 行かれますか
Most formal: いらっしゃいますか
After plain past (use の)
Awkward: 行ったか？
Better: 行ったの？(casual)
Better: 行きましたか？(polite)
Common Patterns
Yes/No Question
[Statement] + か？
学生ですか？ - "Are you a student?"
Question Word Question
[Question word] + [Statement] + か？
何を食べますか？ - "What will you eat?"
Choice
[A]か[B]
コーヒーか紅茶 - "coffee or tea"
Embedded Question
[Question]か + [Verb]
誰が来るか知らない - "don't know who's coming"
Politeness Levels
Most casual: 行く？(no か)
Casual: 行くの？
Standard: 行きますか？
Polite: 行かれますか？
Key Takeaways
✓ Question marker (statement + か)
✓ Choice between options ("or")
✓ Embedded questions ("whether")
✓ Often dropped in casual speech
✓ Rising intonation for questions
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