Translation guide
This guide covers how to express alternatives and choices in Japanese, including both indirect questions and unconditional 'no matter which' patterns.
Expressing an indirect question or uncertainty between two alternatives (e.g., 'I don't know whether he will come or not').
The most direct way to list alternatives in an indirect question. The final か is often followed by a verb like 分からない (don't know) or 決める (decide).
彼が来るか来ないか分からない。
I don't know whether he will come or not.
Please decide whether to go by train or by bus.
Used when the second alternative is simply the negation of the first (whether or not). More concise than repeating the verb.
彼が来るかどうか分からない。
I don't know whether he will come or not.
それが本当かどうか確認します。
I'll check whether that is true or not.
Common phrase for 'to be unsure whether A or B'. Often used when choosing between two options.
赤いのを買うか青いのを買うかで迷っている。
I'm unsure whether to buy the red one or the blue one.
Expressing that something is true or will happen regardless of which alternative is chosen (e.g., 'Whether you like it or not, you have to go').
Formal pattern meaning 'regardless of whether A or B'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
雨が降るか降らないかに関わらず、イベントは開催されます。
Whether it rains or not, the event will be held.
Formal/literary pattern meaning 'whether A or B'. Often used in writing or formal speech.
賛成するにせよ反対するにせよ、理由を述べるべきだ。
Whether you agree or disagree, you should state your reasons.
Formal/literary pattern similar to にせよ. Emphasizes that the result is the same regardless of the choice.
成功であれ失敗であれ、経験は貴重だ。
Whether it's a success or a failure, the experience is valuable.
Similar to にせよ, but slightly more colloquial. Still relatively formal.
行くにしろ行かないにしろ、連絡してください。
Whether you go or not, please contact me.
Expressing that either option is acceptable (e.g., 'Whether you come by car or train, it's fine').
Simple and common pattern meaning 'whether A or B, either is fine'. Often followed by いい or 大丈夫.
コーヒーでも紅茶でも、どちらでもいいです。
Whether it's coffee or tea, either is fine.
車でも電車でも、便利な方で来てください。
Whether by car or train, please come by whichever is convenient.
Means 'regardless of whether A or B'. Slightly more emphatic than でも.
値段が高いか安いかは関係なく、品質が一番大事だ。
Whether the price is high or low, quality is most important.
Use かどうか when the second alternative is simply the negative of the first (whether or not). Use か～か when listing two distinct alternatives (whether A or B).
行くかどうかまだ決めていない。
I haven't decided whether to go or not.
電車で行くかバスで行くかまだ決めていない。
I haven't decided whether to go by train or by bus.
English 'whether' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. The structure depends on the intended meaning. Do not try to translate 'whether' as a standalone word.