Introduction
In this lesson, we will learn how to express “somewhere” and “not anywhere” in Japanese using どこか (dokoka) and どこにも (dokonimo). These expressions follow similar patterns to 何か (nanika) for “something” and 何も (nanimo) for “not anything.”
What It Means
To say “somewhere” in Japanese, you use どこか (dokoka). To express “not anywhere,” you use どこにも (dokonimo). These words are formed by combining the question word for places, どこ (doko), with particles か (ka) for “some” and も (mo) for “any.”
When You Use It
You use どこか (dokoka) when you are talking about going to, being at, or existing in an unspecified place. Conversely, you use どこにも (dokonimo) when you want to say that you did not go anywhere, are not anywhere, or do not exist anywhere.
Examples
Example 1: どこか (dokoka) and どこにも (dokonimo)
どこかへ行きましたか。(Dokoka e ikimashita ka?) – Did you go anywhere?
いいえ、どこにも行きませんでした。(Iie, doko ni mo ikimasen deshita.) – No, I didn’t go anywhere.
Example 2: だれか (dareka) and だれにも (darenimo)
だれかに会いましたか。(Dareka ni aimashita ka?) – Did you see anybody?
いいえ、だれにも会いませんでした。(Iie, dare ni mo aimasen deshita.) – No, I didn’t see anybody.
Example 3: 何か (nanika) and 何も (nanimo)
何かしましたか。(Nanika shimashita ka?) – Did you do anything?
いいえ、何もしませんでした。(Iie, nani mo shimasen deshita.) – No, I didn’t do anything.
Note: When using 何も (nanimo), you do not need the particle を (o).
Note
You do not need to use the particles は, が, or を with these words. However, other particles such as に (ni), へ (e), and で (de) are necessary and should be placed correctly in the sentence.
何か + （に・へ・で）
何かに変える (Nanika ni kaeru) – Change into something.
何かへ変える (Nanika e kaeru) – Change into something.
何かで代用する (Nanika de daiyousuru) – Substitute it with something.
だれか + （に・へ・で）
だれかに会う (Dareka ni au) – Meet someone.
だれかへ電話する (Dareka e denwa suru) – Call someone.
The expression “だれかで” (dareka de) does not exist in natural Japanese.
どこか+ (に・へ・で)
どこかに行く (Dokoka ni iku) – Go somewhere.
どこかへ旅行する (Dokoka e ryokou suru) – Travel somewhere.
どこかでなくした。 (Dokoka o sagasu) – Look for somewhere
何+ (に・へ・で) + も
何にも変えられない (Nan ni mo kaerarenai) – Can’t be changed into anything.
The expression “何へも”(Nan e mo) does not exist in natural Japanese.
何でもできる (Nan de mo dekiru) – Can do anything.
だれ + (に・へ・を) + も
だれにも会わない (Dare ni mo awanai) – Don’t meet anyone.
だれへも電話しない (Dare e mo denwa shinai) – Don’t call anyone.
だれでもできる (Dare de mo dekiru) – Anyone can do it.
どこ+（に・へ・で）+ も
どこにも行かない (Doko ni mo ikanai) – Don’t go anywhere.
どこへも行けない (Doko e mo ikenai) – Can’t go anywhere.
どこでも寝られる (Doko de mo nerareru) – Can sleep anywhere.
Conclusion
Understanding and using どこか (dokoka) and どこにも (dokonimo) helps you describe indefinite places and the lack thereof in Japanese.
