Dokoka ikitaidesu

something, someone, somewhere

In this lesson, we will learn how to express ‘some…’ in Japanese. To do this, you add “ka” after interrogative words. This construction allows you to refer to something that is not clear or specific, but something that does exist.

For example, the interrogative word for “who” is “dare”. By adding “ka”, you get “dareka”, which means “someone”. Similarly, the word for “what” is “nani”. By adding “ka”, you get “nanika”, which means “something”.

Here are a few more examples:

  • “doko” means “where”. Adding “ka”, it becomes “dokoka”, meaning “somewhere”.
  • “itsu” means “when”. Adding “ka”, it becomes “itsuka”, meaning “sometime”.
  • “dore” means “which”. Adding “ka”, it becomes “doreka”, meaning “one of them” or “some (one)”.
Some— (picking just one out of things)
nanika (something, one out of some)
dareka (someone)
dokoka (somewhere)
docchika (one out of two)

Words

WordMeaning
kudasaiplease, give me
erabuchoose
towith
aimashita (au)met (meet)
Satoufamily name
mondaiproblem, question
kinouyesterday

Expressions

  1. nanika kudasai!
  2. satousan wa dokoka e ikimashita
  3. docchika erabimasu
  4. jasutinsan wa dareka to aimashita

Excercises

Question

  1. I want to eat something.
  2. Someone came.
  3. Mr. Sato went somewhere.

Answer

  1. nanika tabetaidesu
  2. dareka kimashita
  3. satousan wa dokoka e ikimashita