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Setting the table and wondering which plate to choose? Put the object’s name after 「どの」, as in 「どのお皿」。

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1

どの〜／どれdono ~ / dore

which one or which item

Use どの before an item name or どれ alone to ask which one among three or more known options.

How it works

  1. Setting the table and wondering which plate to choose? Put the object’s name after 「どの」, as in 「どのお皿」。

    Setting the table and wondering which plate to choose? Put the object’s name after 「どの」, as in 「どのお皿」。

  2. When both people already know they are choosing a plate, ask with 「どれ」. Do not add the object’s name after it.

    When both people already know they are choosing a plate, ask with 「どれ」. Do not add the object’s name after it.

  3. Use 「どれ」 to ask which one of three or more objects, without pointing to a particular one.

    Use 「どれ」 to ask which one of three or more objects, without pointing to a particular one.

  4. In the example, 「どのナイフで」 asks which knife to cut with. 「で」 follows the noun and marks the tool.

    In the example, 「どのナイフで」 asks which knife to cut with. 「で」 follows the noun and marks the tool.

  5. 「どのお皿を」 asks which plate to take out. 「を」 follows the noun and marks the object being taken out.

    「どのお皿を」 asks which plate to take out. 「を」 follows the noun and marks the object being taken out.

Example sentences

  • どのdonoナイフないふnaifuでde切りますきりますkirimasuか。かka

    Which knife will you use to cut?

  • どのdonoお皿おさらosaraをo出しますだしますdashimasuか。かka

    Which plate will you take out?

    • In a conversation

    • A
      どのナイフないふで切りますきりますか。か

      A: Which knife will you use to cut?

    • B
      このナイフないふを使っつかってください。くださいとてもいいナイフないふです。です

      B: Please use this knife. It's a very good knife.

    • A
      どのお皿おさらを使いますつかいますか。か

      A: Which plate will you use?

    • B
      この白いしろい皿さらを使っつかってください。ください

      B: Please use this white plate.

    • A
      どのコップこっぷに入れますいれますか。か

      A: Which glass will you pour it into?

    • B
      このコップこっぷに入れいれてください。ください

      B: Please pour it into this glass.

    • A
      どれを先さきに並べますならべますか。か

      A: Which one will you line up first?

    • B
      大きいおおきい皿さらを先さきに並べならべてください。ください

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      Which knife do you cut with?

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

       ナイフで切りますか。

      Which knife do you cut with?

    More grammar in this theme

    • 〜は〜にありますwhere an object is located
    • 〜は〜にいますwhere a person or animal is
    • 〜に〜があります／いますwhat is present at a place
    • 〜てくださいpolite request to do
    • 〜で〜ますtool or means used
    • 〜方way to do something
    • どの〜／どれwhich one or which item
    • 〜ていますaction in progress
    • 〜ましょうかoffer or suggestion
    • まだあります／もうありませんstill left or all gone
    • 誰が〜ますかask who does it
    Previous〜方Next〜ています

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    Beginner 1
    Directions & Requests

    B: Please line up the large plates first.