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Which Japanese question means 'Where are you from?'

Dochira kara desu ka. (どちらからですか。)

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  1. Dochira kara desu ka. (どちらからですか。) ✔
  2. Dochira made desu ka. (どちらまでですか。)
  3. Donokurai machimasu ka. (どのくらい待ちますか。)

Why: Dochira means where, and NHK says it is more polite than doko. Taxi drivers say 'dochira made' for 'where to?', and 'donokurai machimasu ka' asks how long you wait.

Huh, didn't know that: A friendly answer is 'Amerika kara kimashita' (I'm from America).

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Answer: Dochira kara desu ka. (どちらからですか。). Dochira means where, and NHK says it is more polite than doko. Taxi drivers say 'dochira made' for 'where to?', and 'donokurai machimasu ka' asks how long you wait.

  1. NHK WORLD-JAPAN Easy Japanese, Lesson 3 www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/lesson/en/lessons/03.html
    Dochira kara desu ka. Where are you from?
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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