(Question-Phrase) + か
Including questions within sentences
Structure
(1) 覚える、決める、知っている and so on
Explanation
The particle か can appear in the middle of a sentence, functioning as an adverbial particle, in addition to its more common role as a sentence ending particle. While they look the same, their functions are distinct:
Adverbial Particle: 副助詞 - Marks a piece of information as being uncertain '不確かであること'. This is the same usage of か found in words like だれか ('someone').
Sentence Ending Particle: 終助詞 - Expresses a direct question or doubt '疑問や質問'.
When the adverbial particle か is used to indicate uncertainty, the clause is almost always followed by a phrase that seeks to resolve that uncertainty.
- あの店がまだ開いているか分かりますか？Do you know if that store is still open?
- この答えが正しいか分かる？Do you know if this answer is correct?
- 山田さんがどこに住んでいるか知っていますか。Do you know where Yamada-san lives?
- パーティーはいつ始まるか知ってる？Do you know when the party starts?
As shown in the examples, the adverbial particle may appear by itself, or in a sentence that also ends with the sentence ending particle. However, because the adverbial か already introduces an element of uncertainty, the final question particle is often optional.
Caution
It is important to note that this か cannot be preceded by だ (or です). This is why words such as どこか and 誰か are formed this way, and not as どこだか or 誰だか.
Examples
このバスがどこに行くか分かりますか？
Do you know where this bus goes?
(question within a larger sentence)
パーティーがいつ始まるかまだ決めていません。
We haven't decided when the party is going to start yet.
(question within a larger sentence)
彼の誕生日プレゼントが何がいいか、一緒に考えよう。
Let's figure out what would be a good birthday present for him together.
(question within a larger sentence)
この絵を誰が描いたかわかりません。
I don't know who drew this picture.
(question within a larger sentence)
次のテストに何が出るか知っていますか？
Do you know what's going to be on the next test?
(question within a larger sentence)
どうして彼女が怒っているか、分かりますか？
Do you know why she is upset?
(question within a larger sentence)
昨日見た映画がどんな話だったか、もう覚えていないんです。
I can't remember what the movie I watched yesterday was about anymore.
(question within a larger sentence)
鍵がどこにあるか教えてください。
Please tell me where the keys are.
(question within a larger sentence)
どっちの道が駅に近いか確認しましょう。
Let's confirm which road is closer to the station.
(question within a larger sentence)
誰が今日の会議に来るか、山田さんに聞いてみてくれませんか。
Could you try asking Yamada-san who is coming to today's meeting?
(question within a larger sentence)
この仕事が終わるのに、どのくらい時間がかかるか分かるかな。
I wonder if you have any idea how long it will take to finish this job.
(question within a larger sentence)
どの店が一番安いか知らないけど、どの店が一番高いかは知ってるよ。
I don't know which store is the cheapest, but I do know which one is the most expensive.
(question within a larger sentence)