Where・・・?

In Japanese, we use “どこdoko” for where.   

In addition to asking for a location&place, it also applies to a point, scene.  First, let’s take a look at a few example sentences.

Ask the place

すみません。エレベーターは* どこ ですか

sumimasen      erebetar             wa doko desuka  

Excuse me, Where is the elevator?

* “は” is pronounced as” ha“, but as a particle                                                            “は” is pronounced “wa

A

あそこです

asoko desu

over there.

Words that point to a place

こっち

こちら

kocchi

kochira

= Words that refer to something close        

そっち

そちら

socchi

sochira

= A word that refers  to something  close  to the listener or a person.

あっち

あちら

acchi

achira

= A term that refers to something or a      person far from the speaker or listener.

How to ask at a place where a toilet is likely, such as a station or a building

A

トイレはどこ?

toire wa doko

Where is the toilet?

B

すみません。トイレはどこですか

sumimasen       toire wa doko desuka

Excuse me. Where is the toilet?

C

                て  あら 

すみません。お手洗いはどこですか

sumimasen   otearai wa doko desuka

Excuse me. Where is the lavatory?

D

                              けしょうしつ

すみません。化粧室 は どこですか

sumimasen   kesyoushitsu wa doko desuka

Excuse me. Where is the Restroom?

 かい

2階 に あります。

nikai ni arimasu

Located on the 2nd floor.

ありがとうございます。

arigatou gozaimasu 

Thank you very much.

トイレはどこですか

toire wa doko desuka

Where is the toilet?

= The questioner knows the range of the toilet, but does not know where it is.

あそこがトイレです。

  asoko  ga toire    desu

Toilet is over there.

かれ       ど    こ   

彼は何処へ向かっているのか。

karewa dokoe mukatte irunoka

Where is he heading?

Thank you for reading!  ありがとう。 Namu Shinnyo