何を食べているの？
nani o tabete iru no?
The English phrase "what are you eating?" is translated into Japanese as 何を食べているの？ (nani o tabete iru no?)
This phrase is a question used to ask someone what food they are currently consuming.
What does it mean word for word?
The particle を (o) is an object marker particle that marks the object of the verb, which in this case is the thing being eaten.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter 何食べてるの？ in casual speech, where the particle を is dropped and the い in いる is also dropped to form tabeteru. Additionally, 何食べてるのかな？ is an informal way to express "I wonder what you are eating?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version used with strangers or superiors, use 何を食べていますか？ For informal or casual situations, you can use 何食べてるの？
How do you pronounce it?
nani o tabete iru no?
Did you know?
- In very informal Japanese, you might hear someone say 何食ってるの? (Nani kutteru no?). While 'to eat' is 'taberu', the verb 'kuu' is much more blunt and can sound quite rough or even rude depending on the speaker.
- While 何を食べているの？ asks what someone is eating, Japanese speakers often use いただきます before eating to show gratitude to the ingredients and the cook.
- In Japan, asking 'what are you eating?' can sometimes function as a way to express envy or a desire to join the meal. It is often a precursor to the phrase 美味しそう! (Oishisou!), meaning 'That looks delicious!'
Examples in context
- 何を食べているの？nani o tabete iru no?What are you eating?
- 美味しそう！何を食べているの？oishisou! nani o tabete iru no?That looks delicious! What are you eating?
Example conversation
A student notices her classmate eating a snack in the classroom.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、何を食べているの？Ren-kun, nani o tabete iru no?Ren, what are you eating?
- 蓮 Renこれは新しいお菓子だよ。Kore wa atarashii okashi da yo.This is a new snack.
- 陽葵 Himari私も一つ食べてもいい？Watashi mo hitotsu tabete mo ii?Can I have one too?
- 蓮 Renもちろん、どうぞ。Mochiron, douzo.Of course, here you go.
