だれ～

When to use

The everyday 'who', fine with friends and in most questions. Polite: どなた.

Explanation

The だれ〜 grammar point is used to ask about the identity of someone in a sentence. It can be translated as 'who' or 'whom' in English. It is often used with the particle が, は, or を, but can also be combined with other particles depending on the context.

• だれがその本ほんを買かいましたか。

  Who bought that book?

  Dare ga sono hon o kaimashita ka.

• だれを待まっていますか。

  Whom are you waiting for?

  Dare o matteimasu ka.

• だれがそのリンゴを食たべましたか。

  Who ate that apple?

  Dare ga sono ringo o tabemashita ka.

• だれが鍵かぎを持もっていますか。

  Who has the key?

  Dare ga kagi o motteimasu ka.

Who (Someone / Anyone / No One)

• どなた～donata～N5A polite way to ask 'who', used for asking about someone's…
• だれか〜dareka〜N5Indicates 'someone' or something done or possessed by…
• だれでも～dare demo～N5Used to express 'anyone' or 'everyone'; 'no matter who'.
• だれも～ませんdaremo ~masenN5Express 'nobody' or 'no one' in negative sentences.

Compare when to use each