Hello and welcome to Nihongoいちにのさん!!
Let's study Japanese grammar together.
Interrogative words （Question words)
The Japanese language is full of interrogatives.
Let's study three of them today.
1. どこ(doko) / どちら(dochira)
どこ(doko) means "where."
どちら(dochira) also means "where" and it is politer than どこ.
※どこ and どちら are is used for asking the name of the place or organaisation (country, company, shool...) to which someone belongs.
e.g. エレベーターは どこですか。
Elebētā wa doko desuka.
Where is the lift?
e.g. おくには どちらですか。
Okuni wa dochira desuka.
Where are you from? （お）くに＝country
2. いつ(itsu)
いつ(itsu) is used to ask when something will happen or happend.
e.g. たんじょうびは いつですか。
TanjŌbi wa itsu desuka.
When is your birthday？
3. なん(nan) / なに(nani)
Both なん(nan) and なに(nani) means "what."
なん is used before た, だ or なrow words, or with counter suffixs.
なに is used in all other cases.
e.g. しゅみは なんですか。
Shumi wa nan desuka.
What is your hobby?
e.g. トイレは なんがいですか。
Toire wa nangai desuka.
What/Which floor is the rest room on?
e.g. なんさいですか。
Nansai desuka.
How old are you?
e.g. なにを たべますか。
Nani o tabemasuka.
What do you eat?
