何
[na̠ɲ̟i]
The Japanese word 何 (nani) means "what".
何 is used to ask what something is or to express surprise. It translates to "what" in English.
Which one should you use?
While nani is a blunt way to say "what", nan desu ka is the standard polite way to ask "what is it?" For more specific meanings, you can use the formal phrase どのような (Dono you na) to mean "what kind of" or the formal term 何物 (Nanimono) to mean "what thing".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
何 is an informal way to ask "what". Because it is informal, it can sound blunt or rude if used toward a superior.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, people may say nan ya in casual speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word nani changes to nan when it is used before the particles no and desu, or when used before certain counters.
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, specifically in anime, a drawn-out, high-pitched Nani?! is a common trope used to signal extreme shock or a plot twist.
- In certain historical contexts or very formal writing, 何 can be read as izure, a more poetic way of asking 'which' or 'what'.
- The word 何 originates from the Proto-Japonic root *n-anu-.
Examples in context
- どのような仕事をしていますか？What kind of work do you do?
- なんしてんの？What are you doing?
- なにこれ？What is this?
- 何ですか？Nani desu ka?What is it?
- 何！？Nani!?What!?
Example conversation
Misaki is showing Yota a mysterious gift.
- 美咲 Misakiこれ、何？Kore, nani?What is this?
- 陽太 Yotaプレゼントだよ。Purezento da yo.It is a present.
- 美咲 Misakiえっ、何！？E, nani!?Eh, what!?
- 陽太 Yota驚かないで。Odorokanaide.Don't be surprised.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 何, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 何, CC BY-SA 4.0.
