What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of nani (what), itteru (the continuous form of iu, to say) and the particle no (a softening question particle).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish this from 何と言いましたか？, which is a neutral way to ask someone to repeat themselves. In contrast, 何言ってるの？ implies that you find the person's current statement nonsensical or unbelievable.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality varies significantly between forms. For a formal manner, use 何て言っているのですか？ The form 何言ってんの？ is used in informal contexts, while 何言ってるの？ serves as the standard default. For a rougher and more aggressive tone in casual or heated speech, you may hear 何言ってんだよ？
How does it change in a sentence?
You can make the phrase polite and suitable for use with strangers or superiors by adding desu ka or n desu ka to the end, forming 何言ってるんですか？ Additionally, 言ってん is a contracted form of 言っている, which means "saying".
How do you pronounce it?
nani itteru no?
Did you know?
- While 何言ってるの？ asks 'what are you saying', a native speaker might respond to an absurd claim with 何言ってんの？ as a rhetorical device that actually means 'don't be ridiculous'.
- In Japanese, the phrase can function as a way to argue or challenge someone's character rather than just their words. If you use a rougher form like 何言ってんだよ？, it can sound less like a question and more like an accusation of being crazy or irrational.
- Depending on the pitch, 何言ってるの？ can shift from a gentle expression of confusion to a piercing expression of contempt without changing a single letter.
Examples in context
- あのレポートには何て書いてあるのですか？What does that report say?
- 最近彼が何言ってんのかサッパリわからないんだよな。Lately, I have no idea what he's saying anymore.
- 冗談でしょう、何言ってるの？Joudan deshou, nani itteru no?You're joking, what are you saying?
- 急に何言ってるの？Kyuu ni nani itteru no?What are you saying all of a sudden?
Example conversation
Kenta makes a ridiculous claim about winning the lottery.
- 美咲 Misakiまたそんなこと言って。Mata sonna koto itte.There you go saying that again.
- 健太 Kenta明日、宝くじが当たる気がするんだ。Ashita, takarakuji ga ataru ki ga surun da.I feel like I'll win the lottery tomorrow.
- 美咲 Misaki何言ってるの？Nani itteru no?What are you saying?
- 健太 Kenta冗談だよ。Joudan da yo.I'm just joking.
