どんな
donna
The Japanese word for 'any' (in the sense of at least one kind) is どんな (donna).
どんな is used to describe a selection of at least one kind of something. Depending on the sentence structure, it can function as 'what kind of' when used in a question or it can be part of a pattern meaning 'any' or 'no matter what kind of'.
Meaning: at least one (kind) (det)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express 'any' meaning 'no matter what kind of', どんな is typically used in a pattern with the particle でも. If you use どんな in a question without the でも pattern, it functions as 'what kind of'.
How do you pronounce it?
donna
Did you know?
- The phrase どんなことでも is a common way to say 'anything at all', often used in polite offers to help someone regardless of the task's nature.
- In formal writing, you may see the full contractionally-unbroken form どの様な instead of the common どんな.
- The word どの (dono), which forms the base of どんな, is one of the 'ko-so-a-do' demonstrative words used to point at specific objects.
Examples in context
- どんな本でも結構です。Any book will do.This sentence shows how to use どんな to mean 'any book'.Tatoeba #199372 by bunbuku, translation #36574 by CK
- どんな紙でも結構です。Any paper will do.This sentence shows how to use どんな to mean 'any paper'.Tatoeba #199436 by bunbuku, translation #36638 by CM
- どんな子でもできるさ。Any child can do that.This sentence shows how to use どんな to mean 'any child'.Tatoeba #9029194 by bunbuku, translation #36641 by CK
- 誰でも参加できます。Anyone can join.
- 誰でも購入できます。Anyone can purchase.
- 何でもおっしゃってください。Please say anything (you like).
- どこでも食べられます。You can eat anywhere.
- どこでも買えます。You can buy (it) anywhere.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about their favorite food at a restaurant.
- 健太 Kentaどんな料理が好きですか？Donna ryouri ga suki desu ka?What kind of cuisine do you like?
- 美咲 Misaki私はどんな料理でも食べられますよ。Watashi wa donna ryouri demo taberaremasu yo.I can eat any kind of cuisine.
- 健太 Kenta本当に？それはすごいね。Hontou ni? Sore wa sugoi ne.Really? That is amazing.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、偏食ではありません。Hai, henshoku de wa arimasen.Yes, I am not a picky eater.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
