Translation guide
Expresses that something is true or will happen regardless of conditions, or introduces two alternatives. In Japanese, this is often expressed with patterns like 〜かどうか, 〜ても〜なくても, or 〜にかかわらず.
To express uncertainty or to embed a yes/no question within a statement, like 'I don't know whether or not he will come.'
Attach to the plain form of a verb, adjective, or noun + だ. This is the most common and neutral way to express 'whether or not' in embedded questions.
彼が来るかどうか分からない。
I don't know whether or not he will come.
Please check whether or not that is true.
A shorter alternative, often used in casual speech or writing. It can sound slightly more direct or informal than 〜かどうか.
彼が来るか分からない。
I don't know if he'll come.
To say that something will happen or is true no matter if a condition is met or not, like 'Whether or not it rains, I'll go.'
Used with verbs and adjectives. Repeat the word in affirmative and negative て-form. This clearly expresses 'whether or not' in the sense of 'regardless of whether X or not X'.
雨が降っても降らなくても、行きます。
Whether or not it rains, I'll go.
高くても高くなくても、買います。
Whether or not it's expensive, I'll buy it.
A more formal pattern meaning 'regardless of'. It attaches to nouns or the plain form of verbs/adjectives + かどうか. Often used in written or formal contexts.
天候にかかわらず、イベントは開催されます。
Whether or not the weather is good, the event will be held.
経験があるかどうかにかかわらず、応募できます。
You can apply whether or not you have experience.
A formal, literary pattern meaning 'whether it be X or Y'. It is used with nouns and emphasizes that the result is the same regardless of the alternatives.
雨であれ雪であれ、試合は行われる。
Whether it be rain or snow, the match will be held.
To present two possibilities, often in the structure 'whether X or Y', like 'Whether you go by train or by bus, it takes about an hour.'
Lists two alternatives directly. Often followed by a phrase like によって (depending on) or a statement that applies to both.
電車で行くかバスで行くかは、まだ決めていません。
Whether I go by train or by bus, I haven't decided yet.
勝つか負けるかは、運次第だ。
Whether we win or lose depends on luck.
Similar to 〜であれ〜であれ but slightly less formal. Means 'whether it's X or Y' and implies that the following statement holds true in either case.
電車にしろバスにしろ、時間はかかる。
Whether you take the train or the bus, it takes time.
〜かどうか explicitly includes both the affirmative and negative possibilities, making it clearer for 'whether or not'. 〜か alone can sometimes be ambiguous, but in context it often implies the same. In formal writing, 〜かどうか is preferred.
行くかどうか教えてください。
Please tell me whether or not you'll go.
行くか教えてください。
Please tell me if you'll go (or not).
English 'whether or not' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Using かどうか or other patterns is necessary. A common mistake is trying to use もし (if) or か否か (a very formal written form) in casual contexts.