Japanese Conversation · Level 70
75 words
Japanese word
いずれ
Pronunciation
Romajiizure
Meaning
- pronounwhich
Example
いずれを選びますか？i zu re o era bi ma su ka
Which will you choose?
More examples
二つの色のうち、いずれが好きですか？futa tsu no iro no u chi i zu re ga su ki de su ka
Which of the two colors do you like?
Core concept
Frames one item or option as an unspecified choice within a known group.
Common phrases
いずれかi zu re ka
either one
いずれがよいi zu re ga yo i
which is better
Similar words
どれdore: A common pronoun for asking which one among several known options.
どちらdochira: A polite pronoun for asking which one, usually when choosing between two options.
どっちdotchi: A casual pronoun for asking which one, usually when choosing between two options.
Definition in Japanese
いくつかあるもののうち、どれを選ぶかを示す語。i ku tsu ka a ru mo no no u chi do re o era bu ka o shime su go
Word origin
The Japanese pronoun いずれ (izure) comes from the classical form いづれ (izure), often written 何れ (izure, "which or either"); the older form already expressed selection from alternatives.
Usage tips
- In careful conversational questions, いずれ (izure) can replace どれ (dore), but どれ is the more usual word in everyday speech.
Other meanings
- eitherpronoun