The real meaning of の when asking a question


It seems to be the season for asking questions about questions, and with every
question and answer I read I get more confused.

What is the difference between:

> 1) どこに行く  
>  2) どこに行くの

I'm assuming 1) is a simple, informal, friendly question with no hidden
meanings and nuances.

For 2) I read all sorts of things in different places. Some say that:

  * 2) and 1) are entirely equivalent. 
  * The の in 2) has the nature of the explanatory の. e.g. I'm seeking clarification on something.
  * 2) can have an accusatory or rude tone to it and should be used with care.

Maybe I'm confused because people are giving different explanations in
different contexts. Can somebody clear up my confusion? Are all these
different interpretations correct? If so what context determines each meaning?

_Nice to have: If someone would be so kind as to try and compare 1) and 2)
with のか and の/んだ as well it would be great to see it all in one place._




This の is still explanatory-no used to **seek clarification**.

> A「いってきます。夜には戻るね。」  
>  B「どこに行くの？」

In this case, の is almost mandatory because B is seeking the reason why A is
leaving. You definitely have to learn how to use this の properly. It's still
possible to drop this の, but it's very blunt and unrealistic in ordinary
speech. A stereotyped tough guy like Terminator or Kratos (in _God of War_ )
would say "どこに行く?" or "どこに行くんだ?" instead, but no one around me speak like this
in reality.

> A「日曜日にどこかに遊びに行こうよ。」  
>  B「いいね！ どこに行く？」

In this case, の is usually not used because B is not seeking an explanation
for A's statement. If B said の, it would sound like B is being passive and
expecting A's suggestion, i.e., it would sound a bit more like "Where do you
have in mind?" rather than simple "Where?"

> A「それ、おいしそうだね。」  
>  B「食べたい？」

This is a natural and friendly invitation.

> A「それ、おいしそうだね。」  
>  B「食べたいの？」

This is when の can be unfriendly or dubious, if not necessarily rude; this
sounds like "Does that mean you wanna eat it?". In general, you should use の
with care in "Do you want to" or "Would you like to"-type questions.

* * *

You can read more about this の here: [Question Markers: か and
の](https://www.wasabi-jpn.com/japanese-grammar/question-markers/)




This の is still explanatory-no used to **seek clarification**.

> A「いってきます。夜には戻るね。」  
>  B「どこに行くの？」

In this case, の is almost mandatory because B is seeking the reason why A is
leaving. You definitely have to learn how to use this の properly. It's still
possible to drop this の, but it's very blunt and unrealistic in ordinary
speech. A stereotyped tough guy like Terminator or Kratos (in _God of War_ )
would say "どこに行く?" or "どこに行くんだ?" instead, but no one around me speak like this
in reality.

> A「日曜日にどこかに遊びに行こうよ。」  
>  B「いいね！ どこに行く？」

In this case, の is usually not used because B is not seeking an explanation
for A's statement. If B said の, it would sound like B is being passive and
expecting A's suggestion, i.e., it would sound a bit more like "Where do you
have in mind?" rather than simple "Where?"

> A「それ、おいしそうだね。」  
>  B「食べたい？」

This is a natural and friendly invitation.

> A「それ、おいしそうだね。」  
>  B「食べたいの？」

This is when の can be unfriendly or dubious, if not necessarily rude; this
sounds like "Does that mean you wanna eat it?". In general, you should use の
with care in "Do you want to" or "Would you like to"-type questions.

* * *

You can read more about this の here: [Question Markers: か and
の](https://www.wasabi-jpn.com/japanese-grammar/question-markers/)

