どちら

Alternative writings: 何方, どっち
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

Which way/which direction; where — a polite pronoun used to ask about direction or location.

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

駅はどちらですか?

Which way is the station?

出口はどちらから出ればいいですか?

Which exit should I use?

こちらとあちら、どちらの道が早いですか?

Which road, this one or that one, is faster?

2

Which one (especially of two alternatives) — used to ask someone to choose between two options; casual form is どっち.

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

コーヒーと紅茶、どちらにしますか?

Coffee or tea — which would you like?

どちらの色がいいですか?(カジュアル)どっちがいい?

Which color do you prefer? (formal) Which do you like? (casual)

二つの案、どちらが現実的だと思う?

Which of the two proposals do you think is more realistic?

3

Who — a polite way to ask about a person (as in どちら様ですか?).

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

失礼ですが、どちら様ですか?

Excuse me, who is this? / May I ask who is calling?

お電話ありがとうございます。どちらにご用件でしょうか?

Thank you for calling. Who are you calling about / how may I direct your call?

Word Relationships

Synonyms