〜か

〜か is a particle that functions as a question marker in Japanese sentences. Particles are the building blocks of Japanese grammar — small words that define the grammatical relationship between other words. Mastering 〜か is essential for constructing correct and natural-sounding sentences.

This is a foundational pattern that you will use from day one of your Japanese studies.

When to Use#

• Yes/no questions: 学生ですか？ (Are you a student?)
• Embedded questions (whether): 行くかどうか分からない (I don't know whether I'll go)
• Offering alternatives: お茶かコーヒーか (tea or coffee)

When NOT to Use#

• In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

• バス停はどこですか。 — Where is the bus stop?
• 空港までどのくらいかかりますか。 — How long does it take to the airport?

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Omitting 〜か in contexts where it's required — While particles can sometimes be dropped in very casual speech, omitting 〜か in the wrong context changes the meaning or sounds ungrammatical.