何(なに)

何(なに) is a fundamental question word asking about things, actions, or matters.

Pronunciation

• なに: most contexts (何(なに)を、何(なに)が)
• なん: before です、だ、と、の、で、and counters (何(なん)ですか、何人(なんにん))

Common patterns

• 何(なに)か: something
• 何(なに)も + negative: nothing
• 何(なに)でも: anything
• 何(なに)か食(た)べる: to eat something
• 何(なに)も食(た)べない: to eat nothing

Related question words

• 誰(だれ): who
• どこ: where
• いつ: when