何か
nanika[na̠ɲ̟i ka̠]
The English word 'something' is translated into Japanese as 何か (nanika).
何か is used to refer to an unspecified object.
Meaning: unspecified object (pron)
Which one should you use?
While 何か means 'something', changing the particle to も (mo) creates 何も, which means 'nothing' when used with a negative verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal or explicit grammatical contexts, the object marker を (wo) can be added after 何か to indicate it is the direct object of a verb, appearing as 何かを.
How do you pronounce it?
nanika
Did you know?
- In casual speech, 何か is often shortened to なんか (nanka). In this form, it is frequently used as a filler word similar to 'like' or 'kind of' to express hesitation or vagueness.
- In Japanese literature, 何か is sometimes used to create a sense of 'mono no aware', a poignant feeling of the ephemeral nature of things, by leaving the object of a sentence intentionally vague.
- While 'something' is a neutral pronoun in English, using 何か to refer to a person can sometimes sound slightly objectifying or impersonal in Japanese.
Examples in context
- 何かあった？Did something happen?Tatoeba #188173 by bunbuku, translation #435199 by CK
- 何か感じる。I feel something.Tatoeba #188407 by KK_kaku_, translation #25550 by CK
- 何か飲もう。Let's drink something.Tatoeba #7427364 by Ninja, translation #4222745 by carloseperola
- 542 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking for a way to spend their afternoon.
- 結衣 Yui何か楽しいことはないかな？nanika tanoshii koto wa nai kana?I wonder if there is something fun to do?
- 陽太 Yota映画でも見に行こうか。eiga demo mi ni ikou ka.Shall we go see a movie or something?
- 結衣 Yuiそれはいいアイデアだね！sore wa ii aidea da ne!That is a good idea!
- 陽太 Yota結衣、準備はいい？Yui, junbi wa ii?Yui, are you ready?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “something” translations and entries 何か, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
