Japanese word

どなた

Pronunciation

Romajidonata

Meaning

  • pronounwho

Example

あの方はどなたですか？a no hō wa do na ta de su ka

Who is that person?

Illustration for どなた (who)

More examples

この荷物はどなた宛てですか。ko no ni motsu wa do na ta a te de su ka

Who is this package for?

Core concept

Refers to an unidentified person when the speaker asks who that person is in a respectful way.

Common phrases

  • どなた宛てdo na ta a te

    addressed to whom

Similar words

誰dare: Refers to an unidentified person in a neutral or casual question about identity.
どちらdochira: Refers to one person or choice among a known or limited set when asking which one.

Definition in Japanese

相手や話題にしている人が誰であるかを丁寧に尋ねる語。ai te ya wa dai ni shi te i ru hito ga dare de a ru ka o tei nei ni tazu ne ru go

Word origin

どなた (donata) developed from どの方 (dono kata, "which person"), combining どの (dono, "which") with 方 (kata, "person"), a respectful word for a person.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, どなた (donata) is a polite alternative to 誰 (dare, "who") when asking about an unfamiliar person.

Word lists with this word