どちら

Alternative writings: 何方, どっち
JLPT:N5
Frequency:

1Which way/which direction; where — a polite pronoun used to ask about direction or location.

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

駅はどちらですか?

Which way is the station?

出口はどちらから出ればいいですか?

Which exit should I use?

こちらとあちら、どちらの道が早いですか?

Which road is faster, this one or that one?

2Which one (especially of two alternatives) — used to ask someone to choose between two options; the casual form is どっち.

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

コーヒーと紅茶、どちらにしますか?

Coffee or tea — which would you like?

二つの案、どちらが現実的だと思う?

Which of the two proposals do you think is more realistic?

どっちが好き?(カジュアル)/どちらがお好みですか?(丁寧)

Which do you like? (casual) / Which do you prefer? (polite)

3Who — a polite way to ask about a person (as in どちら様ですか?).

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

失礼ですが、どちら様ですか?

Excuse me, may I ask who you are?

お電話ありがとうございます。どちら様でしょうか?

Thank you for calling. May I ask who's calling?

Word Relationships

Synonyms