How do you use "Whose...?" in a sentence?

Whose turn is it? Whose phone is ringing? Whose idea was this? Whose are these keys?

Whose...?

Q: What does "Whose...?" mean?

Asking about possession or ownership 'Whose' asks who something belongs to: 'Whose bag is this?' It can be followed by a noun or stand alone: 'Whose is this?' Don't confuse with 'who's' (= who is).

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Asking about possession or ownership

询问所有权或归属

Preguntar sobre posesión o propiedad

所有や所属について尋ねる

소유나 소속에 대해 묻기

'Whose' asks who something belongs to: 'Whose bag is this?' It can be followed by a noun or stand alone: 'Whose is this?' Don't confuse with 'who's' (= who is).

'Whose'询问某物属于谁：'Whose bag is this?' 它可以后跟名词或独立使用：'Whose is this?' 不要与'who's'（= who is）混淆。

'Whose' pregunta a quién pertenece algo: 'Whose bag is this?' Puede ir seguido de sustantivo o estar solo: 'Whose is this?' No confundir con 'who's' (= who is).

「Whose」は何かが誰のものかを尋ねます：「Whose bag is this?」名詞が続くこともあれば、単独でも使えます：「Whose is this?」「who's」（= who is）と混同しないでください。

'Whose'는 무언가가 누구의 것인지 물을 때 사용합니다: 'Whose bag is this?' 명사와 함께 쓰거나 단독으로 쓸 수 있습니다: 'Whose is this?' 'who's'(= who is)와 혼동하지 마세요.

Examples

Whose turn is it?
轮到谁了？
¿De quién es el turno?
誰の番ですか？
누구 차례예요?
Whose phone is ringing?
谁的电话在响？
¿De quién es el teléfono que suena?
誰の電話が鳴っていますか？
누구 전화가 울리고 있어요?
Whose idea was this?
这是谁的主意？
¿De quién fue esta idea?
これは誰のアイデアでしたか？
이건 누구 아이디어였어요?
Whose are these keys?
这些钥匙是谁的？
¿De quién son estas llaves?
この鍵は誰のですか？
이 열쇠 누구 거예요?

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: inquisitive

✓ Do Say

Whose coat is this?
这是谁的外套？
¿De quién es este abrigo?
これは誰のコートですか？
이 코트 누구 거예요?
Whose car is parked outside?
外面停的是谁的车？
¿De quién es el coche estacionado afuera?
外に停まっているのは誰の車ですか？
밖에 주차된 차 누구 거예요?
Whose responsibility is it?
这是谁的责任？
¿De quién es la responsabilidad?
それは誰の責任ですか？
누구 책임이에요?
Whose bag is this?
这是谁的包？
¿De quién es esta bolsa?
これは誰のかばんですか？
이거 누구 가방이에요?

✗ Don't Say

Who's bag is this? (use 'whose')
Who's bag is this?（用'whose'）
Who's bag is this? (se usa 'whose')
Who's bag is this?（「whose」を使う）
Who's bag is this?（'whose'를 사용해야 함）
Who bag is this? (use 'whose')
Who bag is this?（用'whose'）
Who bag is this? (se usa 'whose')
Who bag is this?（「whose」を使う）
Who bag is this?（'whose'를 사용해야 함）

Origin & History

Possessive question word

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal