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Is this translation correct? 2013/3/19 05:28
Hello, does どなたですか? mean "who are you?"?
If it does not could anyone be kind enough to tell me what it does mean?

by Anonymouse (guest)  

Re: Is this translation correct? 2013/3/19 16:34
I think it's more polite way to ask someone who he is. Usually who are you in Japanese is あなたは誰ですか. どなた or どちら様 is used for 誰 in the polite manner.
by kazz1972 rate this post as useful

Re: Is this translation correct? 2013/3/19 16:56
Yes, "donata desu ka" is a polite way to ask "Who are you?" "May I ask who I am talking to?"
We wouldn't say "Anata wa dare desu ka" to begin with, unless you are in a confrontational situation :)
by AK rate this post as useful

Re: Is this translation correct? 2013/3/19 17:25
BTW, どちらさまでしょうか? is more polite, I think.
あなただれ? is used bluntly, maybe speaker is irritated.
by ajapaneseboy rate this post as useful

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