dono densha ni norimasu ka.

Which train will you take?

Breakdown of dono densha ni norimasu ka.

• に: destination particle
• か: question particle
• 電車でんしゃ: train
• 乗のる: to ride

Questions & Answers about dono densha ni norimasu ka.

Why is どの used before 電車? Why not どれ?

どの must directly modify a noun, so it comes before 電車.

• どの電車 = which train
• どれ = which one

So:

• どの電車に乗りますか。 = Which train will you take / ride?
• どれに乗りますか。 = Which one will you take / ride?

You use どの when you say the noun itself, and どれ when the noun is left unstated.

What does the particle に do here?

In this sentence, に marks the thing you get on or ride.

The verb 乗ります comes from 乗る, which often uses に for the vehicle, train, bus, bicycle, and so on.

Examples:

• 電車に乗ります = ride/get on the train
• バスに乗ります = ride/get on the bus
• 自転車に乗ります = ride a bicycle

So 電車に乗ります is the normal pattern.

Why is it 乗ります and not some other form of the verb?