JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
used to confirm/recall information
Category: Formal Expressions
The grammar pattern 'Plain form + っけ / Noun + だっけ' is used in casual conversation to confirm or recall information. It is often used with the past tense, even for current facts, if the speaker is remembering them. This pattern is a way to express uncertainty or to seek confirmation from the listener. It is a common expression in everyday conversation, especially among friends or in informal settings.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form of verb | Verb + っけ | 食べっけ |
| Past tense of verb | Noun + だっけ | 誕生日だっけ |
| Noun | Noun + だっけ | レストランだっけ |
田中さんの誕生日って、いつ食べっけ?
Tanaka-san no tanjōbi tte, itsu tabe ke?
When is Tanaka-san's birthday?
田中さんの誕生日って (Tanaka-san's birthday, what's it?) いつ (when?) + 食べっけ (eat, what's it?)
昨日、宿題のこと先生に聞いたレストランだっけ?
Kinō, shukudai no koto sensei ni kitta resutoran da ke?
Wasn't the restaurant we asked the teacher about yesterday?
昨日 (yesterday) + 宿題のこと (homework, what's it?) + 先生に聞いた (asked the teacher) + レストランだっけ (restaurant, what's it?)
あそこのレストラン、月曜日は休みだっけ?
Asoko no resutoran, getsuyōbi wa yasumi da ke?
Isn't the restaurant closed on Mondays?
あそこの (that place) + レストラン (restaurant) + 月曜日は (Mondays) + 休みだっけ (closed, what's it?)
This pattern is used in casual conversation to confirm or recall information. It is often used with the past tense, even for current facts, if the speaker is remembering them. It is a common expression in everyday conversation, especially among friends or in informal settings.
This pattern is strictly casual and should not be used in formal situations.
When using this pattern with nouns, make sure to use 'だ' or 'だった' to indicate the past tense.
This pattern is often confused with the explanatory '~n da' pattern, but the context and verb form should be different.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to pay attention to the context and the verb form. Use it only in casual conversation and avoid confusing it with other patterns.
田中さんの誕生日って、いつ______？
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