If you are a fan of Japanese culture or are learning the language, you have certainly come across several expressions that seem to mean the same thing: “What?”. Phrases like:
- Nani? (何？)
- Nande? (なんで？)
- Nandesuka? (何ですか？)
- Nandayo? (なんだよ？)
- Nanda? (何だ？)
In this article, we will explore in depth the meaning and subtleties of these expressions that are so common in Japanese, so you can use them with confidence and in the most natural way possible.
Also read: Naze x Doushite x Nande – “Why?” and “How” in Japanese
The ideogram 何 (nani)
All the expressions we mentioned originate from the ideogram 何 (nani), which has a broad meaning, being able to be translated as “what,” “how many,” “which,” and other variations related to questions. The key to understanding the differences between them lies in the particles and verbs that accompany them, which add nuances and levels of formality to the expression.
In Japanese, there are various ways to express questions, opinions, and even surprises using the ideogram 何 (nani). If we want to ask “what” in a formal way, we can simply say “nandesuka” [何ですか], and if we want to speak in the most informal way possible, we can just say “Nani?”, which conveys a sense of surprise.
“Nanda”, “Nandayo” and their nuances
“Nanda” (何だ) is an informal abbreviation of “nandesuka.” To understand better, read our article about “desu” (です) and “da” (だ). “Nanda” can also be used exclamatively, expressing “what is it?” or frustration, especially when accompanied by the particle “yo” (よ), forming “nandayo” (何だよ).
“Nandayo” can mean “what is this?”, but in an informal, rough, and abrupt way. Women often use “naniyo” (何よ) with a similar meaning. To better understand the use of “yo,” read our article on the use of particles at the end of sentences.
It is also possible to use the particle “ne” (ね) in expressions like “nandayone” (何だよね), where “ne” indicates agreement and affirmation. The particle “ka” (か) is commonly used in questions, but it is not always necessary. The intonation when pronouncing “nanda,” “nande,” or “nani” also influences the meaning.
“Nande” and other ways to ask “why”
The particle “mo” (も) generally means “also,” but in expressions with “nani” (何) and other particles, it can express “anyone” or “everyone.” The particle “de” (で) in “nande” (何で) means “why?”, “for what?”, or “how?” in an informal way.
Besides “nande” (何で), there are other ways to ask “why”: “doushite” (如何して), a bit informal, and “naze” (何故), more formal. Understanding the differences may seem complicated, but with time and practice, you will get used to it.
Example sentences involving nande, nani, nanda…
To help you better understand the previously mentioned words, we will present several example sentences that illustrate how to use them in daily life. We will explore various examples with “nande,” “nani,” “nanda,” and their variations, as well as include “naze” and “doushite” so that you can grasp the subtleties of each.
欲しいのは君だけなんだ。
Hoshī no wa kimi dake nanda.
You are the only one I want
要するに君は私が嫌いなんだね。
Yōsuruni kimi wa watashi ga kirai nandane.
In one word, you hate me, don’t you?
俺この件に関してノータッチなんで
Ore kono-ken ni kanshite nōtatchi nande
I am not involved in this.
本日のランチの内容はなんですか。
Honjitsu no ranchi no naiyō wa nandesuka.
What are you serving today?
これは何ですか
Kore wa nandesuka
What is this?
本当？なぜ？
Hontō? Naze?
Is it true? Why?
どうして月は夜輝くのか
Dōshite tsuki wa yoru kagayaku no ka
Why does the moon shine at night?
何でそんな安っぽいペテンにひっかかるんだ。
Nande son'na yasuppoi peten ni hikkakaru nda.
Why are people fooled by these schemes?
欲しいものは何でも持っていきなさい。
Hoshī mono wa nandemo motte iki nasai.
Take whatever you want.
How to know if the reading of [何] is Nan or Nani?
The ideogram for “what” (何) has several readings, such as nani, nan, ka, na, do, i and ka. A common question is: “How to know when to use ‘nan’ instead of ‘nani’?” The general rule is to observe the letter that comes after the ideogram. If the next word starts with the consonants t, d or n, the reading will be “nan”. Examples include: nanno (何の), nandesuka(何ですか), nande (何で) and nanto (何と).
On the other hand, if the ideogram 何 is followed by particles like が, を, も (ga, wo, mo), the reading will be “nani”. However, there are several exceptions, especially when 何 is followed by another kanji, forming a compound word. An interesting example is 何語 (nanigo), where both readings may be possible, but the meaning can change.
When the ideogram 何 is followed by a counter, the reading will be “nan”. Examples include: nannin (何人 – how many people), nankai (何回 – how many times), nandai (何台 – how many vehicles) and nanmai (何枚 – how many sheets). If followed by a noun, the reading will generally be “nani”, as in nani-iro (何色 – what color). However, there are exceptions, such as nanyoubi (何曜日 – what day of the week).
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Using nani [何] to ask what or how many
The ideogram for “what” [何] in Japanese is often used together with other words to ask specific things such as:
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| How old? | 何歳ですか? | nansaidesuka |
| What is the number? | 何番 | nanban |
| What day of the week | 何曜日 | nanyoubi |
| What day; How many days | 何日 | nannichi |
| How many words | 何語 | nango |
| How many minutes | 何分 | nanbun |
| How many people; Number of people | 何人 | nannin |
| How many times | 何回 | nankai |
| How many (counter for machines) | 何台 | nandai |
| How many (counter for thin and flat objects) | 何枚 | nanmai |
Other words derived from the kanji of nani [何]
To conclude the article, we will share a list of words related to questions that derive from the ideogram of nani [何]:
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| Where; which place | 何処 | doko |
| Why; how | 何故 | naze |
| It’s nothing; without anything; | 何も | nanimo |
| Why?; for what? | 何で | nande |
| When; how | 何時 | itsu |
| What; how; whatever | 何と | nanto |
| How; what (exclamatory) | 何て | nante |
| Which way; which direction; where | 何方 | dochira |
| Which (among); anyone (+も) | 何れ[も] | dore[mo] |
| Something; thing | 何か | nanika |
| Anything; whatever; I understand | 何でも | nandemo |
| Something; somehow | 何とか | nantoka |
| Where; which; that; both; any; eventually | 何れ | izure |
| How many times | 何回 | nankai |
| How many times | 何度 | nando |
| Something; some reason | 何やら | nanyara |
| How many hours? | 何時 | nanji |
| How much time; how far; how much | どれ位 | dorekurai |
| Anywhere; everywhere; completely | 何処までも | dokomademo |
| Something; nothing | 何物 | nanimono |
| What; let me see | 何れ何れ | doredore |
| What about; this and that; what what?; What’s the problem? | 何々 | naninani |
| It’s nothing; nothing | 何でもない | nandemonai |
| How long? Until when? | 何時まで | itsumade |
| Anything; everything; almost everything | 何もかも | nanimokamo |
| In any case | 何せ | nanise;nanse |
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