Japanese grammar
What does ～っけ？ mean? Japanese grammar N3
～っけ？ means was it ~ again?; right? (trying to recall something).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vる／Vた + っけ N／な形 + だっけ い形 + かったっけ |
| Romaji | kke? |
| Meaning | was it ~ again?; right? (trying to recall something) |
Forming it
| Noun | 明日 → 明日だっけ |
|---|---|
| Verb | 来る → 来るっけ／来た → 来たっけ |
| i-adjective | 面白い → 面白かったっけ |
How to use it
Asking again about something you ONCE knew but have forgotten. Casual, colloquial — used with yourself or someone close.
- 「っけ」 is only used when the information was heard BEFORE: 「会議は何時からだっけ？」 (what time was the meeting again?). For something completely new, use ordinary 「か」.
- i-adjectives must switch to the た-form: 「面白かったっけ」, not 「面白いっけ」.
- Casual; with superiors use 「～でしたか」: 「会議は何時からでしたか」 — this still keeps the nuance of trying to recall, thanks to the た-form.
Examples
会議は何時からだっけ？
What time was the meeting again?
この映画、前に見たっけ？
Did I watch this movie before, I wonder?
Keep in mind
- Nouns and na-adjectives need 「だ」: 「明日だっけ」.
- Not used with someone of higher status.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこの映画、面白いっけ？
This movie is good, isn't it?
Correctこの映画、面白かったっけ？
i-adjectives must be in the た-form before 「っけ」 because this is about recalling something.
-
Wrong部長、会議は何時からだっけ？
Manager, what time does the meeting start?
Correct部長、会議は何時からでしたか。
「っけ」 is too casual for a superior; the polite た-form still conveys the nuance of recalling.
Exam tips
- 「っけ」 = … right? (recalling something once known); i-adjectives use 「かったっけ」.