Meaning
Asks which item among several is meant.
Formation
- どれ stands alone — どれですか
- どの only before a noun — どの本
- If どれ is the subject (どれがいいですか), the answer keeps が: これがいいです. To あなたの傘はどれですか answer 私の傘はこれです or just これです
When to use it
- Core use
- Asks which item among several is meant
Examples
13 sentences-
あなたの傘はどれですか
Which umbrella is yours?
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どの本が好きですか
Which book do you like?
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この中でどの写真が好きですか
Which of these photographs do you like?
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田中さんの鍵はどれですか
Which key belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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田中さんの財布はどれですか
Which wallet belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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田中さんの切符はどれですか
Which ticket belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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田中さんの傘はどれですか
Which umbrella belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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田中さんの帽子はどれですか
Which hat belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
5 more examples
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どの辞書が田中さんのですか
Which dictionary belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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どの携帯電話が田中さんのですか
Which mobile phone belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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どのコートが田中さんのですか
Which coat belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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どのかばんが田中さんのですか
Which bag belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
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どの眼鏡が田中さんのですか
Which pair of glasses belongs to Mr. Tanaka?
Important notes
- どれ asks 'which one' among three or more and stands alone: どれですか. どの goes before a noun: どの本ですか. For two options use どちら.
Common mistakes
- A question word as subject takes が, and so does the answer: どれがいいですか — これがいいです. Do not use は after どれ in this position.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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