Meaning
Embeds a question with two possibilities: whether something is true or not.
Formation
- Plain form + かどうか: 降るかどうか分かりません
- Nouns and na-adjectives drop だ: 必要かどうか
When to use it
- Core use
- An embedded yes-no question
Example
明日雨が降るかどうか分かりません
I do not know whether it will rain tomorrow.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.