なんとなく
nantonaku
The English phrase "kind of" can be translated into Japanese as なんとなく (nantonaku).
The term is used as an adverb to mean "somewhat."
Meaning: somewhat (adv)
How do you pronounce it?
nantonaku
Did you know?
- The word なんと in this phrase is a variation of the interrogative 'what', creating a sense of 'no matter what' or 'somehow'.
- In Japanese conversation, adding なんとなく to the end of a sentence can be a polite way to avoid giving a direct, confrontational reason for a feeling or decision.
- In Japanese pop culture, particularly in song lyrics, なんとなく is a common trope used to express the dreamy, aimless wandering of youth or unrequited love.
Examples in context
- この問題は多少難しいです。This problem is kind of difficult.
- 彼の発言は多少不注意だったようだ。His statement seemed kind of careless.
- 今ちょっと忙しいです。I'm kind of busy right now.
- この本、ちょっと面白そうじゃない？Doesn't this book look kind of interesting?
- 彼女の返事はなんか変だった。Her reply was kind of weird.
- その映画まあまあ面白かった。That movie was kind of interesting.
- 昨日のテスト、まあまあできたと思う。I think I kind of did okay on yesterday's test.
- なんとなく、眠いです。nantonaku, nemui desu.I feel somewhat sleepy, for some reason.
- なんとなく、嫌な予感がします。nantonaku, iyana yokan ga shimasu.I have a somewhat bad feeling about this.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 美咲 Misakiこの映画、どうだった？Kono eiga, dou datta?What did you think of this movie?
- 大翔 Hirotoなんとなく不思議な話だったね。Nantonaku fushigi na hanashi datta ne.It was kind of a strange story, wasn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki確かに。最後がよく分からなかった。Tashikani. Saigo ga yoku wakaranakatta.True. I didn't really understand the end.
- 大翔 Hiroto私もそう思うよ。Watashi mo sou omou yo.I think so too.
