どこ

• Reading: どこ
• Romaji: doko
• Pronunciation: /do.ko/

Meaning

Where; what place. The interrogative pronoun for location.

The question word in the ko-so-a-do place series. Used to ask about locations and places. Combined with particles for different nuances: どこに (where to), どこで (where at), どこから (where from). Also appears in the polite form どちら. どこも means 'everywhere' or 'nowhere' depending on context.

Examples

1. トイレはどこですか。 Where is the restroom?
2. 夏休みにどこに行きましたか。 Where did you go for summer vacation?
3. どこで昼ごはんを食べましょうか。 Where should we eat lunch?

Usage Guide

Context: questions, directions, travel

Tone: inquisitive

Origin & History

From the ancient Japanese demonstrative system. The 'do' prefix marks the interrogative form. Combined with こ (place), it creates the question pronoun for location.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal