Japanese dictionary
How to say "what" in Japanese
何なに・なん · nani / nan
"What" in Japanese is 何, read なに (nani) or なん (nan) depending on the next sound. "What is this?" is これは何ですか (kore wa nan desu ka).
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Ways to say "what" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 何なに・なん · nani / nan | What. |
| 何のなんの · nan no | What (kind of). |
| どんなどんな · donna | What kind of. |
How to use it
Before です and counters, it's usually なん: 何ですか, 何時. Before を and が, it's なに: 何を食べますか.
"What kind of" is どんな (donna).
Example sentences
- これは何ですか。Kore wa nan desu ka.What is this?
- 何を食べたいですか。Nani o tabetai desu ka.What do you want to eat?
- 何の仕事をしていますか。Nan no shigoto o shite imasu ka.What kind of work do you do?
- どんな音楽が好きですか。Donna ongaku ga suki desu ka.What kind of music do you like?
- 今、何時ですか。Ima, nanji desu ka.What time is it now?
- すみません、何と言いましたか。Sumimasen, nan to iimashita ka.Sorry, what did you say?
Kanji in this word
Questions
Is 何 read nani or nan?
Both. It is usually なん before です, の and counters (何時, 何人), and なに before particles like を and が.
How do you say "What did you say?" in Japanese?
Say すみません、何と言いましたか (sumimasen, nan to iimashita ka), or もう一度お願いします.
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