JLPT N5 reference · Existence, time and quantity
Basic question words
Japanese question words stay in the normal position of the missing information and take the particle required by that role.
Core meaning and form
Core forms include 何, だれ, どこ, いつ, どう, どれ, どの, and いくら. Adding か, も, or でも can create indefinite and total expressions.
- 何を, だれが, どこで.
- どれ stands alone; どの modifies a noun.
- 何か = something; 何も + negative = nothing.
Examples in context
何を食べますか。Nani o tabemasu ka.What will you eat?
だれと行きますか。Dare to ikimasu ka.Who will you go with?
どの本が好きですか。Dono hon ga suki desu ka.Which book do you like?
Common errors
- Do not move every question word to the start of the sentence.
- Do not confuse どれ with どの + noun.
Quick summary
- Question words keep the particle for their role.
- Word order remains largely unchanged.
- Related particles create forms such as something, nothing, and anything.