「かどうか」- Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty

Explanation

～かどうか is used to express doubt or uncertainty about a situation, equivalent to "whether or not" in English. This grammatical structure is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially when asking questions or expressing uncertainty.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
～かどうか	Noun + かどうか Verb negative form + かどうか	Used to indicate whether a certain situation occurs or the truth of a statement.

Basic Usage

～かどうか is used to express whether a certain situation is true or not. For example:

• 彼かれが来くるかどうか分わからない。
• Kare ga kuru ka dou ka wakaranai.
• I don't know whether he will come or not.
  

Examples

• 彼かれが来くるかどうか分わからない。
• Kare ga kuru ka dou ka wakaranai.
• I don't know whether he will come or not.
  

• 明日あした雨あめが降ふるかどうか分わかりません。
• Ashita ame ga furu ka dou ka wakarimasen.
• I don't know whether it will rain tomorrow or not.
  

• このこの服ふくが似合にあうかどうか教おしえてください。
• Kono fuku ga ni au ka dou ka oshiete kudasai.
• Please tell me whether this clothes suits me or not.
  

• 中田なかたさんが大学だいがくを卒業そつぎょうできたかどうか知しっていますか。
• Nakata-san ga daigaku o sotsugyou dekita ka dou ka shitteimasu ka.
• Do you know whether Mr. Nakata has graduated from university or not?
  

Deep Dive

～かどうか is used to express doubt or uncertainty about an event or situation. It can be used with various parts of speech, including verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Its primary function is to indicate inquiry or express doubt about something.

Difference Between "～かどうか" and "～か"

Both ～かどうか and ～か can express doubt, but they are used differently:

• ～か is generally used for direct questions or expressing doubt.
• ～かどうか tends to express doubt or uncertainty about something and is not typically used in direct questions.

Comparison and Differences

Expression	Usage	Example	English Translation
～かどうか	Expressing doubt or uncertainty	彼かれが来くるかどうか分わからない。	I don't know whether he will come or not.
～か	Directly asking or expressing doubt	彼かれは来くるか？	Will he come?

Real-Life Scenarios

• Everyday Conversations:
  • 彼女かのじょが来くるかどうか、知しっていますか？
  • Kanojo ga kuru ka dou ka shitteimasu ka?
  • Do you know whether she will come or not?
    
• Work Scenarios:
  • このこのプロジェクトプロジェクトが完了かんりょうしたかどうか確認かくにんしてください。
  • Kono purojekuto ga kanryou shita ka dou ka kakunin shite kudasai.
  • Please confirm whether this project has been completed or not.
    
• Academic Scenarios:
  • このこの理論りろんが正しいただしいかどうか、まだ証明しょうめいされていません。
  • Kono riron ga tadashii ka dou ka mada shoumei sareteimasen.
  • Whether this theory is correct or not has not yet been proven.
    

Summary

～かどうか is a highly practical grammatical structure used to express doubt or uncertainty about a situation. By understanding its connection rules and basic usage, you can effectively apply this structure in everyday conversations, work scenarios, and academic contexts.