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used to confirm/recall information
Definition
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.
Structure
| 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 |
Examples
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?)
Context
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.
Watch out
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.
Strategy
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.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows Plain form + っけ / Noun + だっけ used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
田中さんの誕生日って、いつだっけ？
Pattern used: だっけ
When trying to recall a piece of information like a birthday, '~dakke' is used.
昨日、宿題のこと先生に聞いたんだっけ？
Pattern used: んだっけ
'~n dakke' is used to confirm whether or not an action was performed when the speaker is uncertain.
あそこのレストラン、月曜日は休みだっけ？
Pattern used: だっけ
Using 'dakke' indicates the speaker once knew the schedule but is now double-checking their memory.
Interactive
田中さんの誕生日って、いつ______？
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.