どれ
dore[do̞ɾe̞]
In Japanese, "which" is translated as どれ (dore).
どれ is an interrogative used to ask "which" when selecting from a group of items. It can function as a pronoun meaning "which one" or "which ones".
Meaning: (interrogative) what, of those mentioned or implied (det)
Which one should you use?
The word you choose depends on the number of options and the subject: どれ is used when choosing between three or more items, while どっち is the specific interrogative used when choosing between exactly two items. If you are talking about people, you can use どちら to mean "which person."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While どれ stands alone, if you want to modify a noun directly (for example, "which book"), you must use どの plus the noun. Additionally, the form …の can act as a relative pronoun meaning "who, whom or what".
How do you pronounce it?
dore
Did you know?
- The word どれ evolved from いずれ, which is still used today in very formal or literary contexts to mean 'which'.
- Because どれ is an interrogative, it is often used in Japanese to express a sense of uncertainty or 'whichever' in more complex sentences, much like the English 'whoever' or 'whatever'.
- In some regional dialects, the distinction between どれ and どっち is blurred or used differently than in standard Tokyo Japanese.
Examples in context
- 私のはどれ？Which is mine?This sentence shows how to use どれ to ask which item is yours.Tatoeba #3710295 by tommy_san, translation #38002 by CK
- どれにする？Which one do you want?This sentence demonstrates using どれ to ask which one someone wants.Tatoeba #10298469 by small_snow, translation #1886586 by CK
- どれがいい？Which do you want?This sentence shows how to use どれ to ask which one is good.Tatoeba #10298483 by small_snow, translation #2648219 by CK
- どれがお好みですか？Which one would you prefer?
- どの本がお好みですか？Which book would you prefer?
- どっちがいいと思う？Which one do you think is better?
- どの映画が好きですか？Which movie do you like?
- どちらが先生ですか？Which person is the teacher?
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are choosing a gift at a store.
- 陽太 Yotaどれが一番いいと思う？Dore ga ichiban ii to omou?Which one do you think is the best?
- 結衣 Yui私は青いのが好きかな。Watashi wa aoi no ga suki kana.I think I like the blue one.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、どれを買おうか。Jaa, dore o kaou ka.Well, which one shall we buy?
- 結衣 Yuiこの赤いのにしよう！Kono akai no ni shiyou!Let's go with this red one!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry どれ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries どれ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
