If you're a fan of Japanese culture or are learning the language, you've 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're going to explore in depth the meaning and subtleties of these expressions that are so common in Japanese, so that you can use them with confidence and in the most natural way possible.
Read also: Naze x Doushite x Nande - "Why?" and "How" in Japanese
Table of Contents
The ideogram 何 (nani)
All the expressions we've mentioned have their origins in the ideogram 何 (nani), which has a broad meaning and can 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 several ways to express questions, opinions and even surprises using the ideogram 何 (nani). If we're going to ask "what" in a formal way, we can simply say "nandesuka" [何ですか]; if we want to speak as informally as possible, we can just say "Nani?", which conveys an idea 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 the heck?" or frustration, especially when accompanied by the particle "yo" (よ), forming "nandayo" (何だよ).
"Nandayo" can mean "what's that?", 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 such as "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 of asking "why"
The particle "mo" (も) usually 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.
In addition to "nande" (何で), there are other ways of asking "why": "doushite" (如何して), a little informal, and "naze" (何故), more formal. Understanding the differences may seem complicated, but with time and practice, you'll get used to it.
Example sentences involving nande, nani, nanda...
To help you better understand the words mentioned above, we're going to give you several example sentences that illustrate how to use them in everyday life. We'll explore several examples with "nande", "nani", "nanda" and their variations, as well as including "naze" and "doushite" so that you understand the subtleties of each one.
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 a 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'm 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?
It is true? Because?
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 deceived 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 what 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 e ka. A common question is: "How do I know when to use 'nan' instead of 'nani'?" The general rule is to look at the letter that comes after the ideogram. If the following word begins with the consonants t, d or n, it will read "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 such as 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 may 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 leaves). If followed by a noun, the reading will usually be "nani", as in nani-iro (何色 - what color). However, there are exceptions, such as nanyoubi (何曜日 - which day of the week).
We also recommend reading: Death Parade - A Deadly Betting Anime
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 certain things, such as:
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| How old? | 何歳ですか? | nansaidesuka |
| What's the number? | 何番 | nanban |
| what day of the week | 何曜日 | nanyoubi |
| What a day; How many days | 何日 | nannichi |
| how many words | 何語 | nango |
| How many minutes | 何分 | nanbun |
| How many people; Quantity of people | 何人 | nannin |
| How many times | 何回 | nankai |
| How many (machine counter) | 何台 | nandai |
| How many (thin and flat object counter) | 何枚 | nanmai |
Other words derived from the kanji of nani [何]
To end the article we will share a list of words related to questions that derive from the ideogram of nani [何]:
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| Where; what place | 何処 | doko |
| Because; how | 何故 | naze |
| It's nothing; without anything; | 何も | nanimo |
| Why?; for what? | 何で | nande |
| When; How | 何時 | itsu |
| Home; how; whatever | 何と | nanto |
| How; what (exclamatory) | 何て | nante |
| What path; what direction; where | 何方 | dochira |
| Which (among); any (+も) | 何れ[も] | dore[mo] |
| Something; Thing | 何か | nanika |
| Anything; it doesn't matter; 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 |
| How about; this and that; what what?; What's the problem? | 何々 | naninani |
| It's nothing; nothing | 何でもない | nandemonai |
| How much time? Until when? | 何時まで | itsumade |
| anything; everything; almost everything | 何もかも | nanimokamo |
| anyway | 何せ | nanise;nanse |
