か否か | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain)] + か否か [i-adj] + か否か [na-adj] + (である) + か否か [noun] + (である) + か否か

Description

か否か means "whether or not". It is the written, formal form of かどうか, and attaches the same way: the plain form of a verb or an い-adjective, and a noun or a な-adjective either directly or with である.

。

Whether or not to take part is for the person concerned to decide.

。

We need to check whether or not this method is correct.

。

Whether or not he is guilty will be decided in court.

A noun or a な-adjective never takes だ here: ×有罪だか否か.

The whole clause works as a noun, so it takes は, を or が, or a compound particle such as について, をとわ問わず or にかかわらず.

、。

Whether or not to carry out this plan is the question we now face.

、。

Whether or not it was his own choice, he cannot escape responsibility.

か否か or かどうか

The two mean the same. か否か belongs in reports, legal and academic writing, the news and formal speeches. In conversation it sounds stilted, and everyone says かどうか.

。

Whether or not you passed will be announced next week.

Written.

、。

You'll find out next week whether you passed.

Spoken.

× 行くか否か、まだ迷ってるんだ → 行くかどうか、まだ迷ってるんだ

Examples

、。

Whether or not to accept this proposal will be decided by the board of directors.

。

We must confirm whether or not his statement is factual.

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Please let us know by tomorrow whether or not you will attend.

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It is unclear whether or not that information is accurate.

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Whether or not it violates the law has become the point of contention.

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Whether or not the defendant is guilty is determined by the jury.

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Whether or not this medicine works varies from person to person.

、。

I am still undecided about whether or not to study abroad.

、。

Regarding whether or not to continue the contract, agreement from both parties is necessary.

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Whether or not that policy was successful will be proven by history.

、。

Regardless of whether or not it is safe, one must follow the rules.

、。

Regardless of whether or not it was the person's own will, responsibility cannot be avoided.

References

か否かBunpro