Translation and Meaning of: 何と - nanto
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 何と (nanto) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: nanto
Kana: なんと
Type: adverb
L: jlpt-n1
Translation / Meaning: what; as; everything that
Meaning in English: what;how;whatever
Definition: He describes what things, facts, situations, names, phrases, adjectives, etc. 'What can I say? It's so breathtaking.'
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (何と) nanto
The expression 「何と」（nanto） in Japanese is used to convey surprise or admiration in the face of a situation. It often appears at the beginning of sentences to emphasize an impressive or unexpected occurrence. One of its main characteristics is the ability to express, concisely, the emotion associated with a discovery or impactful event.
Etymologically, 「何と」 is composed of two characters: 「何」 (nani), which means "what" or "which," and 「と」 (to), a particle with various functions, used here as an exclamatory form. The combination of these characters results in an expression that, although it can be literally interpreted as "what" or "how," acquires a more emotional meaning related to surprise.
This expression is quite versatile and can be found in various contexts within the Japanese language. For example, in everyday situations, like someone revealing unexpected news or when encountering an impressive piece of art. The word has a similar usage to "how" in its exclamatory function in other languages, allowing the speaker to share their surprise or amazement almost instantly.
Besides 「何と」, there are variations and contexts in which the expression can appear alongside other words, broadening its meaning. For example, 「何と素晴らしい」 (nanto subarashii) can be translated as "how wonderful," intensifying the feeling of admiration. This flexibility contributes to the expressive richness of the Japanese language, making it a powerful tool for emotional communication.
Synonyms and similar words
- 何等 (nantou) - What type (with emphasis on indefinite)
- 何か (nanika) - Something (undefined)
- 何でも (nandemo) - Anything (without restrictions)
- 何ぞ (nazo) - Once (in more formal or literary contexts)
Words related
How to Write in Japanese - (何と) nanto
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (何と) nanto:
Example Sentences - (何と) nanto
Below are some example sentences:
Nantoka naru
Everything will be fine.
Somehow.
- Input - - indicates that the following word is what was entered into the system
- 何とかなる - It's the phrase in Japanese that means "everything will be fine."
- Output - - indicates that the following word is the answer or result of the system
Nanto itte ii ka wakaranai
I do not know what to say.
I do not know what to say.
- 何と言っていいか - Japanese expression meaning "I don't know what to say"
- 分からない - Japanese verb meaning "not to understand"
Nantomo ienai
I can't say anything about it.
I can't say anything.
- 何とも言えない - Japanese expression meaning "indescribable" or "difficult to explain"
Other words of the same type: adverb
See other words from our dictionary that are also: adverb
