Which of the two: どちらが・～のほうが
A と B と どちらが ～ですか。——A の ほうが ～です。
A と B と どちらが ～ですか (which of the two?) — A の ほうが ～です (it's A). Equal: どちらも.
In short
To ask which of two options: コーヒーと こうちゃと どちらが すきですか. You answer with のほうが: コーヒーの ほうが すきです (I prefer coffee). If they're the same: どちらも すきです.
- いぬと ねこと どちらが すきですか。inu to neko to dochira ga suki desu kaDo you prefer dogs or cats?
- ねこの ほうが すきです。neko no hō ga suki desuI prefer cats.
- どちらも すきです。dochira mo suki desuI like both.
Asking: which of the two?
To ask which of two things is more…, you say A と B と どちらが + adjective + ですか. どちら (which of the two) takes が, like any question word used as subject.
- ねこと いぬと どちらが すきですか。neko to inu to dochira ga suki desu kaDo you prefer cats or dogs?
Answering with の ほうが
You answer with A の ほうが + adjective: “A's side is more…”. ほう means “side, direction”.
- いぬの ほうが すきです。inu no hō ga suki desuI prefer dogs.
- バスより 電車の ほうが はやいです。basu yori densha no hō ga hayai desuThe train is faster than the bus.
Both the same
If they're equal, you answer どちらも + adjective: どちらも すきです (I like both).
| Question / answer | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A と B と どちらが ～ですか | which is more…? |
| A の ほうが ～です | it's A |
| B より A の ほうが ～です | A more than B |
| どちらも ～です | both |
Common mistakes
- Using どれ for two things: between two, it's どちら; from three on, どれ.
- Answering A は ～です: the expected form is A の ほうが.
- Forgetting と after each item in the question: A と B と どちらが.
5 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N5 point is on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line (Comparing) of the Tokyo subway.