Question

At the end of a sentence, this particle asks a question, like a question mark.

Example

ねこが好きです。 Do you like cats?

It can also be used when there is uncertainty between two or more choices. It can be used once or multiple times.

Example

、どちらえらんでますかな。 Which should I chose, a dog or a cat?

かりません。 I don’t know if it will rain.

かな・かしら

Means “I wonder”, “should I?“. かな is a neutral form, while かしら sounds feminine.

Example

この帽子ぼうしかぶろうかな。 Should I wear this hat?

かい

Using this particle, the sentences becomes a yes/no question. Very casual, masculine connotation.

Example

来るのかい。 Are you coming?

どうやって

Means “how”, “in what way”.

Example

これをどうやって作れましたか。 How did you make this?

Probably - right - isn’t it?

でしょう

Means “probably”, “right?“. The polite version of だろう.

Example

このはきれいでしょう。 These clothes are beautiful, aren’t they? (It’s probably what you also think?)

だろう

Means “probably”, “right?“. The casual version of でしょう.

Example

今日また雨だろう。 It will probably rain again.

ではないか

Means “isn’t it?“. The polite version of じゃないか.

Example

今のれはしんではないか。 That shaking is an earthquake, isn’t it?

じゃないか

Means “isn’t it?“. The casual version of ではないか.

Example

アイスクリームを食べようじゃないか。 Let’s have some ice cream, shall we?

This particle when added to the end of a sentence meaning “right?“.

Example

今日はさむいです。 It’s cold today, right?

Summing up

  • でしょうだろう expresses a probability or an assumption.
  • ではないかじゃないか invites or suggests an action.
  • asks an agreement or a confirmation.