G24 · Choosing: どちら and 〜の ほう

Before you start

The sentences only use words you already know from hiragana, katakana and the beginner level.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• G01build sentences with は and です
• G02ask and answer
• G03say what something is not
• G04say whose something is
• G05point at things and ask what they are
• G06say «also»
• G07say what you do
• G08say no and talk about the past
• G09say where you go
• G10say where you do something
• G11describe things and say they aren't
• G12describe with な-adjectives and before a noun
• G13say what there is and where
• G14ask and say where something is
• G15talk about what was
• G16ask politely
• G17say what is happening now
• G18say what you want to do
• G19say what you do first
• G20invite and suggest plans
• G21ask for and give permission
• G22say what is not allowed
• G23compare two things

What you learn

どちらが 〜ですか／〜の ほうが 〜です

• どちらwhich (of two)?
• ほうthe side, the option (〜の ほうが)

どちら asks «which of the two?»: どちらが いいですか. The answer uses 〜の ほうが: おちゃの ほうが いいです (I prefer tea; tea is better).

• どちらが おおきいですか。dochira ga ookii desu ka.Which is bigger?
• いぬの ほうが おおきいです。inu no hou ga ookii desu.The dog is bigger.
• どちらが いいですか。dochira ga ii desu ka.Which do you prefer?
• おちゃの ほうが いいです。ocha no hou ga ii desu.I prefer tea.
• でんしゃの ほうが やすいです。densha no hou ga yasui desu.The train is cheaper.
• どちらが ちかいですか。dochira ga chikai desu ka.Which is closer?

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.