JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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· Elementary
whether or not
Category: Particles & Connectors
The grammar pattern "Plain form + かどうか" is used to embed a yes/no question into a larger sentence. It expresses uncertainty or inquiry about a situation or condition. The plain form can be a verb, adjective, or noun, and it is followed by "かどうか", which is a polite way to ask a question. This pattern is commonly used in everyday conversations to seek clarification or confirmation.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form of verb | Verb + かどうか | 明日、雨が降るかどうか、分かりません。 |
| Plain form of adjective | Adjective + かどうか | その話が真実かどうか、確かめてみます。 |
| Plain form of noun | Noun + かどうか | 間に合うかどうか、急いで行きましょう。 |
明日、雨が降るかどうか、分かりません。
Ashita, ame ga furu ka dou ka, wakarimasen.
I don't know if it will rain tomorrow.
明日 (tomorrow), 雨が降る (will rain), かどうか (whether or not), 分かりません (don't know)
その話が真実かどうか、確かめてみます。
Sono hanashi ga shinjitsu ka dou ka, tashikamete mimasu.
I'll make sure if the story is true.
その話 (that story), 真実 (true), かどうか (whether or not), 確かめて (make sure), みます (will see)
間に合うかどうか、急いで行きましょう。
Aida ni au ka dou ka, isogite ikimashou.
Let's hurry if we're going to make it on time.
間に合う (make it on time), かどうか (whether or not), 急いで (hurry), 行きましょう (let's go)
This pattern is used to ask a yes/no question in a polite way. It is commonly used in everyday conversations to seek clarification or confirmation. The plain form can be a verb, adjective, or noun, and it is followed by "かどうか", which is a polite way to ask a question. This pattern is often used in situations where the speaker is uncertain or inquiring about a situation or condition.
Using 'da' after nouns or na-adjectives before 'ka dou ka' is incorrect because it changes the grammatical function of the word. The plain form is used to express a situation or condition, and 'da' is used to indicate a state or condition. Using 'da' before 'ka dou ka' would change the meaning of the sentence.
The 'question word + ka' pattern is used to ask a yes/no question about a specific situation or condition. It is different from the 'plain form + かどうか' pattern, which is used to ask a yes/no question in a more general way. Confusing the two patterns can lead to incorrect usage.
Using 'dou ka' with a question word like 'nani' or 'itsu' is incorrect because it changes the grammatical function of the word. The question word is used to ask a specific question, and 'dou ka' is used to ask a yes/no question in a more general way. Using 'dou ka' with a question word would change the meaning of the sentence.
Pay attention to the context and the grammatical function of the words in the sentence. Make sure to use the correct pattern for the context, and avoid confusing it with other patterns. Practice using the 'plain form + かどうか' pattern in different situations to improve your understanding and usage.
明日、雨が______、分かりません。
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