～かどうか

About

The phrase 「かどうか」 is used to express uncertainty and can be attached to a verb, noun, or adjective. ～かどうか is often translated as "if" or "whether or not".

「どうか」 can be dropped from ～かどうか. This is like removing "or not" from the English "whether or not".

～かどうか is often paired with verbs such as 分わかる, 聞きく, and 悩なやむ.

～かどうか can't be combined with question words such as "who/what/where/when/why". For these words, the (interrogative)か pattern must be used instead.

Summary

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  ～かどうか means "if" or "whether or not"

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  ～かどうか can drop どうか and become ～か

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  ～かどうか can't be used with question words "why/who/where/when/what"