ka か

Particle meaning: (either)... or ..., whether

It is also used to form questions, extend invitations, or make requests.

1. Between two or more nouns

大学へはバスか地下鉄で行けます。

Daigaku e wa basu ka chikatetsu de ikemasu.

You can go to the university by either bus or subway.

2. After each of two or more verbs in dictionary form

大学に行くか就職するか決めなければならない。

Daigaku ni iku ka shuushoku suru ka kimenakereba naranai.

I have to decide either to go to university or get a job.

遊園地に行くか映画を見に行くかしましょう。

Yuuenchi ni iku ka eiga o mi ni iku ka shimashou.

Let's go either to an amusement park or go to see a movie.

3. After noun clause + の no

何が起こったのか分かりません。

Nani ga okotta no ka wakarimasen.

I don't know what happened.

この字はどうやって書くのか教えてください。

Kono ji wa dou yatte kaku no ka oshiete kudasai.

Please teach me how to write this character.

これが本物なのかどうか分かりません。

Kore ga honmono na no ka douka wakarimasen.

I don't know whether or not this is the real thing.

(If preceding clause has no question words, どうか douka <or not> may be put after か ka)

4. At the end of question in indirect speech

彼女にどこへ行くのかたずねましたが、答えませんでした。

Kanojo ni doko e iku no ka tazunemashita ga, kotaemasen deshita.

I asked her where she was going, but she didn't answer.

5. At the end of sentence

「これはあなたのかばんですか。」「はい、そうです。」

<Kore wa anata no kaban desu ka.> <Hai, sou desu.>

<Is this your bag?> <Yes, it is.>

「さしみは食べますか。」「はい、食べます。」

<Sashimi wa tabemasu ka.> <Hai, tabemasu.>

<Do you eat sashimi?><Yes, I do.>

彼のことをどう思いますか。

Kare no koto o dou omoimasu ka.

What do you think of him?

6. After ません masen

(to make an invitation)

一緒にコンサートに行きませんか。

Isshoni konsaato ni ikimasen ka.

Would you like to go to the concert with me?

7. After て te-form of verb + くれません kuremasen

(to make a request)

自転車を貸してくれませんか。

Jitensha o kashite kuremasen ka.

Would you please lend me your bike?

8. After interrogative word

先生は誰かとどこかへ行きました。

Sensei wa dare ka to doko ka e ikimashita.

The teacher went somewhere with somebody.

何か飲むものが欲しいですね。

Nani ka nomu mono ga hoshii desu ne.

I want something to drink, don't you?

See also: kureru, masen