Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 1: 12/12

Question marking particle

か is also often used to mark uncertainty/doubt

Structure

Phrase +

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Particle

  • Word Type

    Sentence Ending Particle

  • Register

    Standard

  • 品詞

    助詞

  • 単語の種類

    終助詞

  • 使用域

    一般

About か

is a particle that frequently comes at the end of sentences in Japanese, and carries the same meaning as a question mark in English. (It is not limited to appearing at the end of sentences, however). In addition to questions, can also express uncertainty about something, without strictly being a question.
  • これコップです
    Is this a cup? (Plain question)
  • あなたアパート(おお)です
    Is your apartment big? (Plain question)
  • 美味(おい)()からない。
    I don't know if this is good or bad. (Expressing uncertainty, but not a question)
  • これ(なに)()からない。
    I don't know what this is. (Expressing uncertainty, but not a question)
regularly comes after the polite form of words, such as ~です, ~ます. However, in casual conversation can be used directly after the word that the speaker is showing uncertainty about.
  • 大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)です
    Are you okay? (Standard pattern)
  • 大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)
    Are you okay? (Very casual pattern)
Both examples are grammatically correct, but the sentence without です may be considered rude by some people (as it sounds too familiar/direct).

Examples

  • これ(ほん)です

    Is this a book?

  • これあなた(ほん)です

    Is this your book?

  • これあなた(ほん)です

    Is this also your book?

  • これペンです

    Is this a pen?

  • これいいです

    Is this good?

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