Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 3: 3/13

Or

Structure

Verb (A) + + Verb (B) +

[い]Adjective (A) + + [い]Adjective (B) +

[な]Adjective (A) + + [な]Adjective (B) +

Noun (A) + + Noun (B) +

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Particle

  • Word Type

    Adverbial Particle

  • Register

    Standard

About か

One of the common uses of the particle is often translated to 'or' in English. While this translation is accurate, it is not actually any different from 's regular usage as a question marker.

From these examples, we can see that, in Japanese, is performing the same role that a question mark would, or that a change in tone of voice would in spoken language.

'Would you like tea? coffee?' (said with a rising tone).

This nuance of can be used after the dictionary form of almost any word in Japanese. However, using です or ます will change the nuance from 'presenting possibilities', to 'asking a formal question', so should be avoided.

Examples

--:--

    ここそこ

    Here or there?

    (あか)(あお)

    Red or blue.

    ()(あそ)

    To sleep or to play.

    今日(きょう)明日(あした)

    Today or tomorrow.

    これ(わたし)ペンあなたペンです

    Is this my pen or your pen?

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        • みんなの日本語 I

          Page 20 [CH 2]

        • Tobira

          Page 45

        • [DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

          Page 164

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      か – Grammar Discussion