どちら
どちら
pronoun
which (of two); where (polite); who (polite)
politedirection
See also:
どっち (casual form)
1.
which one (of two)
Used to ask about a choice between two options. The polite form of どっち.
2.
where (polite)
A polite way to ask where someone is from or where they are going.
3.
who (polite)
A polite way to ask who someone is, often used in business contexts.
どちら is a polite interrogative with three main uses: asking which of two options, asking where (polite), and asking who (polite). It is more formal than どっち.
Ko-so-a-do series
- こちら: this way/person (near speaker)
- そちら: that way/person (near listener)
- あちら: over there/that person
- どちら: which way/person (question)
Common patterns
- どちらがいいですか: Which do you prefer?
- どちらへ: Where are you going? (polite)
- どちら様ですか: Who are you? (very polite)
- どちらにお勤めですか: Where do you work? (polite)
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どちら is the standard polite form. Use どっち in casual speech. In business or formal situations, どちら is strongly preferred.
Related Words
Related:
こちら (this way (polite))
Related:
あちら (over there (polite))
Related:
どっちか (either one)