何(なに)

なに
pronoun
what
1. what
A question word asking about things, actions, or matters. One of the most fundamental question words.
これは何(なん)ですか？
What is this?
何 is read as なん before です
何(なに)を食(た)べたいですか？
What do you want to eat?
何(なに)か飲(の)みますか？
Would you like something to drink?
何か = something
今日(きょう)は何(なに)をしましたか？
What did you do today?
何(なに)も買(か)わないで帰(かえ)りましたが、店(みせ)を見(み)るだけでも楽(たの)しかったです。
I went home without buying anything, but it was fun just looking around the shops.
何(なに)も + negative = nothing

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:

RELATED QUESTION WORDS:

Related Words

See also: 誰(だれ)
See also: どこ
See also: いつ
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:02 · Revised 2026.2.7 22:38
00000/00498_nani