[question word] + か【か】

The pattern [question word] + か is used to embed a question inside a larger sentence. Instead of asking a question directly, you incorporate it as a noun clause that functions as the object or subject of the main verb. Common question words used include なん何 (what), どこ (where), いつ (when), だれ誰 (who), どう (how), なぜ / どうして (why), and どれ (which).

The embedded clause uses the plain form of the verb before か. The resulting noun clause then connects to the main sentence's verb – typically verbs of knowing, deciding, understanding, remembering, or asking, such as しっている知っている, わかる分かる, きめる決める, おぼえている覚えている, おしえる教える, and きく聞く.

How it differs from a direct question

A direct question simply ends with か:

An embedded question places the question inside a sentence:

In the embedded clause, the topic marker は often becomes が, and the copula だ before か is dropped with nouns and na-adjectives:

Particles after か

The embedded question clause (ending in か) often directly precedes the main verb without any additional particle. However, in some cases you may see か followed by particles like を or が depending on the grammatical role of the clause in the main sentence. Both are acceptable, though omitting the particle is more common in natural speech.

Common usage patterns

• ～か知っている / 知らない – know / don't know ~
  ぱすわあどパスワードがなんか何かしっています知っていますか。

  Do you know what the password is?
• ～か分かる / 分からない – understand / don't understand ~
  なぜおこっている怒っているかわからない分からない。

  I don't understand why (they) are angry.
• ～か覚えている / 忘れた – remember / forgot ~
  どこにおいた置いたかおぼえています覚えていますか。

  Do you remember where you put it?
• ～か決める – decide ~
  なん何をちゅうもん注文するかきめた決めたきごう？

  Have you decided what to order?
• ～か教える / 聞く – tell / ask ~
  えき駅がどこかおしえてください教えてください。

  Please tell me where the station is.