whether
/ˈweðə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈweðər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈ(h)we-t͟hər (ˌ)(h)wə-/ (ame, mw)
whether — 連接詞
1. used before a clause that gives two possible choices when you are not sure which
是否
引導間接問句，表達不確定
used before a clause that gives two possible choices when you are not sure which one is correct or will happen — for example, asking whether the bus has already passed or is still on its way.
Gabriel asked whether the night train to Kaohsiung had already departed.
Gabriel 問往高雄的夜車是否已經開走了。
whether + past-tense clause reporting a question
Dahlia could not decide whether to accept the scholarship offer from National Taiwan University.
Dahlia 無法決定是否要接受臺灣大學的獎學金。
whether + to-infinitive pattern
The science teacher asked whether the experiment results were accurate enough to publish.
自然老師問實驗結果是否準確到可以發表。
Marta was not sure whether the supermarket closes at eight or at nine.
Marta 不確定超市是晚上八點還是九點關門。
Nobody knows whether the rumour about the factory is true or completely made up.
沒人知道關於那間工廠的謠言是真的還是編造的。
- if
more common in everyday speech and conditional sentences, but cannot be used before to-infinitives or directly before 'or not'
- whether or not
emphatic form that stresses the possibility of both alternatives, often placed at the end of the clause
文法句型
whether + clause
whether + to-infinitive
whether...or not
whether...or...
用法筆記
In formal writing, 'whether' is preferred over 'if' for introducing indirect yes-no questions. When an infinitive follows, only 'whether' can be used — 'if' is ungrammatical before a to-infinitive.
常見錯誤
2. indicates that a fact or event stays true, or happens, no matter which of two op
無論；不管
兩者情況結果相同
indicates that a fact or event stays true, or happens, no matter which of two opposite alternatives is the case — for instance, a train running on schedule regardless of weather conditions.
Whether you pick the mountain trail or the coastal path, the view is wonderful.
無論你選登山步道還是海岸小徑，山頂的景色都很美。
whether...or... + same result
The concert will take place whether it rains or the sun is out.
戶外音樂會照常舉行，不管下雨還是整個晚上都出太陽。
whether + opposite pairs
Whether Tendai comes by plane or bus, her cousin will meet her at the station.
不管 Tendai 搭飛機還是搭公車來，她的表妹都會去車站接她。
Kenji studies every evening whether he feels wide awake or extremely exhausted.
Kenji 每天晚上都用功讀書，不管他是精神飽滿還是極度疲倦。
Whether the home team wins or loses, the supporters cheer loudly until the final whistle.
不管主隊贏還是輸，支持者都會大聲加油直到終場哨聲響起。
- no matter if
more informal and less common; usually introduces a single condition rather than two clear alternatives
- regardless of whether
more formal and wordy; used in academic or legal writing
文法句型
whether...or...
whether + clause + or not
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 1 in that the outcome does not depend on which alternative is true. The main clause states a fact that is unaffected by the alternatives introduced by 'whether'.
常見錯誤
whether — 代名詞
1. used to ask which specific person or thing from a known group of two is the one
哪一個
詢問兩者中的哪一個（古語）
used to ask which specific person or thing from a known group of two is the one being referred to or preferred.
The librarian offered two reading rooms and asked whether of the two the student preferred.
圖書館員提供了兩間閱覽室，詢問學生比較喜歡哪一間。
whether of the two — historically attested interrogative pronoun pattern
Between these two English translations of the poem, whether of them sounds more natural to you?
這首詩的兩種英譯本之間，你覺得哪一種聽起來比較自然？
Two possible repairs were proposed for the old clock, but whether of the two was the more reliable remedy?
那座老鐘提出了兩種修復方式，但哪一種是比較可靠的補救辦法？
Zayd has two concert tickets for tonight — whether of the two would you like?
Zayd 今晚有兩張演唱會門票——你比較想要哪一張？
- which
standard modern alternative; works for any number of options, not limited to two
文法句型
whether + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is now very formal or old-fashioned. The historically attested pattern places 'whether' before 'of' + noun phrase ('whether of the two', 'whether of them'), where it functions as an interrogative pronoun meaning 'which one'. In modern everyday English, 'which' replaces 'whether' in this role. You will mainly encounter this usage in literary works and historical texts such as the King James Bible and Shakespeare.
常見錯誤
2. used to indicate that it makes no difference which one from a pair is chosen, be
任一個
兩者中隨便哪一個（古語）
used to indicate that it makes no difference which one from a pair is chosen, because the result or outcome will be the same.
Christopher may borrow whether of the two dictionaries on the shelf he prefers for his research.
Christopher 可以從書架上兩本字典中任選一本來做研究。
whether of the two + noun — pronoun as fused relative head
You may take whether of the seats remains empty, for the other passengers will not mind at all.
兩張椅子你隨便坐哪一張都行，因為其他乘客不會介意的。
Hikers may follow whether of the two paths they fancy, for the waterfall awaits at either end.
登山客可以選兩條步道中喜歡的任何一條走，因為兩條路的盡頭都有瀑布。
Sofia may try whether of the recipes seems more promising, for the cake always comes out well either way.
Sofia 可以試兩種食譜中看起來比較可行的那一種，因為蛋糕不管怎麼做都很好吃。
文法句型
whether + of + noun phrase (fused relative head)
用法筆記
Like pronoun sense 1, this sense is very formal or archaic. The attested pattern uses 'whether' as the head of a fused relative construction followed by 'of' + noun phrase ('whether of the two', 'whether of the seats'), corresponding to 'whichever one (of them)'. Do not use 'whether' as a bare determiner before a noun — that pattern is barely attested historically and will be read as an error. In modern English, 'whichever' or 'either' is used instead. You will rarely encounter this except in older literature or very formal legal documents.