だれですか
dare desu ka
Who is it?
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'だれですか' to ask 'Who is it?' or 'Who are you?' in a standard, polite way.
- Means: 'Who is it?' or 'Who are you?'
- Used in: Answering the door, identifying a stranger, or asking about a photo.
- Don't confuse: 'だれ' (casual) with 'どなた' (very polite/honorific).
Explanation at your level:
뜻
A question to ask about a person's identity.
문화적 배경
Asking 'Who are you?' directly can be seen as blunt. Often, people introduce themselves first. In business, you should always use 'どなた様でしょうか' to show respect. Among close friends, 'だれ？' is perfectly fine. When answering the phone, it is common to say 'はい、だれですか' or just 'はい'.
The 'u' drop
In 'desu', the 'u' is almost silent. Say 'dess-ka'.
Politeness matters
Always use 'donata' for people you don't know well.
뜻
A question to ask about a person's identity.
The 'u' drop
In 'desu', the 'u' is almost silent. Say 'dess-ka'.
Politeness matters
Always use 'donata' for people you don't know well.
Context is key
You can omit the subject if it's clear.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct question particle.
あの人はだれです___？
The particle 'か' is used at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.
Which is the most polite way to ask 'Who is it?'
Choose the best option.
'どなた' is the honorific form of 'だれ'.
Match the Japanese phrase with its English meaning.
Match: 1. だれですか 2. あの人はだれですか
Direct translation matches.
Complete the dialogue.
A: (Knock knock) B: ________?
When someone knocks, you ask who they are.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
자주 묻는 질문
12 질문No, use 'donata desu ka' instead.
Yes, if used with the wrong person.
That's exactly when you use this phrase!
Say '[Name] です'.
No, 'dare' works for singular and plural.
Yes, it's very common.
It's a natural feature of Japanese phonology.
Yes, but it's more polite in Japanese.
No, use 'nani' (what) for animals.
Yes, all the time!
You might say 'Dare da!' (casual/rude).
No, it's one of the first phrases you'll learn.
관련 표현
どなたですか
specialized formWho is it? (polite)
だれですか
synonymWho is it?
だれのものですか
builds onWhose is it?
だれと
similarWith whom?
어디서 쓸까?
Answering the door
You: だれですか。
Visitor: 宅急便です。
Meeting a stranger
You: すみません、だれですか。
Stranger: 田中です。はじめまして。
Looking at a photo
Friend: この人はだれですか。
You: それは私の兄です。
Phone call
You: もしもし、だれですか。
Caller: 佐藤ですが、鈴木さんいますか。
Classroom
Student: 先生、あの人はだれですか。
Teacher: 新しい転校生ですよ。
Party
You: あそこにいるのはだれですか。
Friend: あれは私の友達のケンです。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dare' as 'Dare to ask who it is'.
Visual Association
Imagine a person knocking on a door, and you are standing behind it, holding a sign that says 'DARE?'.
Rhyme
Who is it? Dare desu ka? / Don't be shy, just ask it, ha!
Story
You are at a party. You see a stranger. You walk up and say 'Dare desu ka?'. They smile and tell you their name. You feel relieved.
Word Web
챌린지
Ask 3 people their names using this phrase today.
In Other Languages
¿Quién es?
Japanese is gender-neutral.
Qui est-ce ?
French requires inversion or 'est-ce' for questions.
Wer ist das?
German uses 'das' (that) instead of just 'it'.
他是谁？ (Tā shì shéi?)
Word order is different.
누구세요? (Nuguseyo?)
Korean uses honorific suffixes directly on the verb.
Quem é?
Portuguese often drops the subject pronoun.
من هذا؟ (Man hādha?)
Arabic uses demonstrative pronouns differently.
どなたですか
Register level.
Easily Confused
Learners often use 'dare' in formal settings.
Use 'dare' for friends, 'donata' for strangers/superiors.
Learners forget 'no' for possession.
'Dare' is who, 'Dare no' is whose.
자주 묻는 질문 (12)
No, use 'donata desu ka' instead.
Yes, if used with the wrong person.
That's exactly when you use this phrase!
Say '[Name] です'.
No, 'dare' works for singular and plural.
Yes, it's very common.
It's a natural feature of Japanese phonology.
Yes, but it's more polite in Japanese.
No, use 'nani' (what) for animals.
Yes, all the time!
You might say 'Dare da!' (casual/rude).
No, it's one of the first phrases you'll learn.
