JLPT N4 grammar
どちら — Meaning & Examples
"Which?" (between 2 things). AとBと、どちらが~ = Of A and B, which is more~? For 3+ options, use どれ instead.
Asking “Which One?” — どちらが
To ask "which is more X, A or B?", use:
AとBと、どちらが [adjective] ですか。
どちら means "which" (when choosing between exactly 2 things).
Examples:
コーヒーとお茶と、どちらがすきですか。(kōhī to ocha to, dochira ga suki desu ka?)
= Coffee or tea — which do you prefer?
にほんとアメリカと、どちらがあついですか。(nihon to amerika to, dochira ga atsui desu ka?)
= Japan or America — which is hotter?
電車とバスと、どちらがはやいですか。(densha to basu to, dochira ga hayai desu ka?)
= Train or bus — which is faster?
Answer using のほう:
Q: コーヒーとお茶と、どちらがすきですか。(kōhī to ocha to, dochira ga suki desu ka?)
A: お茶のほうがすきです。(ocha no hō ga suki desu.) = I prefer tea.
Tip: Use どちら only for 2 options. For 3+ options, use どれ (which one).
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on どちら. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. To ask "which is more X, A or B?", use:
- AをBに Xですか
- AとBと、どちらが Xですか
- AもBも Xですか
- AかB Xですか
Show answer
Answer: AとBと、どちらが Xですか
AとBと、どちらが~ = Of A and B, which is more~? どちら = which (between 2 things).
2. When do you use どちら vs どれ?
- どちら for 2 options, どれ for 3+
- どれ for 2 options, どちら for 3+
- They mean the same
- どれ is more polite
Show answer
Answer: どちら for 2 options, どれ for 3+
どちら is for choosing between 2 things. どれ is for choosing among 3 or more.
Practise どちら in the free app
This point is part of the “Making Comparisons” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Making Comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What does どちら mean?
"Which?" (between 2 things). AとBと、どちらが~ = Of A and B, which is more~? For 3+ options, use どれ instead.
Is どちら on the JLPT N4 test?
どちら is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Making Comparisons”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise どちら?
Open the “Making Comparisons” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.