Grammar - Grade 3 List View

Review these list items to study and edit your keyphrase and other memory aids.
Grammar Point
expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
exp 
A Keyphrase should be a short phrase that brings to mind and helps to remember the information on this frame.
か否かかいなか

whether or not

Verb or い-Adjective informal + か否か

This conjunctive phrase is used to express uncertainty about whether a statement is true or not. It is a more formal and literary version of the common かどうか construction.

Verb or い-Adjective

When using verbs or い-adjectives, the informal form (present or past) is used directly before the phrase.

Whether he will go or not is a problem.

I am worried about whether I can succeed or not.

Note

か否か is primarily used in written Japanese or formal speeches. In casual conversation, かどうか is almost always preferred. The word 否 (いな) is a formal word for 'no' or 'negation'.

Noun or な-Adjective stem + か否か

When using nouns or な-adjectives, the copula だ is usually omitted before the phrase to maintain a formal tone.

Noun or な-Adjective stem

The stem of the な-adjective or the noun itself is used without adding だ.

Whether the information is true or not is unknown.

Whether the method is simple or not is important.

Note

While it is grammatically possible to include だった for the past tense, it is very rare in this specific formal construction.

Words: 
か否かかいなか
Radicals of radicals