Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 8: 10/18

かどうか
whether or not, if...or not

Structure
Verb + + どう + + Phrase
[い]Adjective + + どう + + Phrase
[な]Adjective + + どう + + Phrase
Noun + + どう + + Phrase
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
かどうか is an expression in Japanese which combines the ‘or’ meaning of , with the ‘how’ meaning of どう. (A) かどうか (B) is regularly translated as ‘whether or not (A), (B)’.
To use かどうか, simply attach it to the end of any phrase that you want to express the ‘or’ use of about, then add the (B) phrase.
  • サチコ付(つ)き合(あ)うかどうか分(わ)からない
    I don't know whether or not I will go out with Sachiko.
  • 水(みず)汚(きたな)からこの川(かわ)深(ふか)かどうか分(わ)からない。
    Since the water is dirty, I don't know whether or not this river is deep.
  • この携帯(けいたい)便利(べんり)かどうか分(わ)からない
    I don't know whether or not this cell phone is useful.
  • 目(め)悪(わる)からあそこにいるのが父親(ちちおや)かどうかわからない
    Because I have bad eyes, I don't know whether or not the person over there is my father.
Although ‘whether or not’ is the standard translation, the more literal translation of かどうか is ‘if it’s (A), or however it is, (B)’.
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
旅行(りょこう)行(い)けるかどうかわからない
I don't know whether or not I can go on a trip.
Play  
この食(た)べ物(もの)美味(おい)しいかどうかわからないので食(た)べてみたい
Because I don't know whether or not it is delicious, I want to try eating this food.
Play  
サンタさんがいるかどうか探(さが)しています
People are searching for whether or not Santa exists.
Play  
Online
LearnJapaneseAdventure
JapaneseAmmo
Books
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 161
みんなの日本語 II
Page 96 [CH 40]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 168
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 192
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 36