どなた

どなた is the polite equivalent of 誰(だれ) (who). It belongs to the ko-so-a-do demonstrative system and is used when politeness or respect is required.

Formality levels

• 誰(だれ): casual/neutral
• どなた: polite
• どちら様(さま): very polite/formal

Common patterns

• どなたですか: Who are you? / Who is it?
• どなたか: someone (polite indefinite)
• どなたでも: anyone at all (polite)
• どなた様(さま)ですか: Who might you be? (very polite)

Usage

• At the door: どなたですか (Who is it?)
• Introducing someone: こちらはどなたですか (Who is this person?)
• Customer service: どなた様(さま)がご利用(りよう)ですか (Who will be using this?)

Part of the ko-so-a-do system: これ・それ・あれ・どれ, ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ, この・その・あの・どの, etc.