どこ・どちら (doko / dochira) — where / which way (polite)
Asking "where?" — plain どこ and polite どちら.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
- With friends or family, トイレはどこですか (Where is the toilet?) is enough.
- In a shop, an office or with a stranger, エレベーターはどちらですか sounds better.
Meaning
There are two words for "where?": plain どこ and polite どちら.
How to attach
- Both are built the same way: N + は + どこ／どちら + ですか.
- Answer with ここ／そこ／あそこ or a place name + です.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
トイレはどこですか。
toire wa doko desu ka.
Where is the toilet?
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) トイレ ──> [ + は ] ──> トイレは ──> "where" ➔ どこ ──> [ + ですか ] ──> トイレはどこですか.
かいしゃはどこですか。
kaisha wa doko desu ka.
Where is the company?
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) かいしゃ (company) ──> [ + は ] ──> [ + どこ ] ──> [ + ですか ] ──> かいしゃはどこですか (where is the company?).
エレベーターはどちらですか。
erebeetaa wa dochira desu ka.
Which way is the elevator? (polite)
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) エレベーター ──> [ + は ] ──> polite "which way" ➔ どちら ──> [ + ですか ] ──> エレベーターはどちらですか (which way is the elevator?).
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
How do you ask "Where is the toilet?"
💡 Hint: どこ asks about a place.
トイレはどこですか = "Where is the toilet?"
What is the polite form of どこ?
💡 Hint: It also means "which way."
The polite form of どこ is どちら.
Fill the blank: かいしゃは＿ですか。("Where is the company?")
💡 Hint: You need the question word.
かいしゃはどこですか = "Where is the company?"
Your score: /3