今度は何？
kondo wa nani?
The English phrase "what now?" can be translated into Japanese as 今度は何？ (kondo wa nani?)
This phrase is used to ask what has happened or what is needed next. It is often used to express annoyance or exasperation when a new problem arises immediately after a previous one has been resolved.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kondo (this time/next time), the topic marker wa (as for) and nani (what).
Which one should you use?
Other variations like 今、どうする？ or えっと、どうする？ mean 'What now?' in an informal context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 今度は何？ is informal and should be used with friends, family or people of lower social status. To make the phrase polite and suitable for use with people you are not close to, you can use 今度は何ですか？ In formal contexts, you can use どうなさいますか or いかがなさいますか.
How do you pronounce it?
kondo wa nani?
Did you know?
- In Japanese, a common way to express the feeling of 'what now?' without using many words is to simply make a long, rising 'eh?' sound. This single syllable can convey everything from genuine confusion to deep exasperation depending on the pitch.
- The word 今度 (kondo) is famously ambiguous because it can mean both 'this time' and 'next time' depending on the context.
- Adding だ (da) to the end of the phrase to create 今度は何だ？ (kondo wa nan da?) creates a rough, assertive tone common in anime and manga.
Examples in context
- お客様、これからどうなさいますか？Customer, what will you do from now?
- ランチ終わったら、どうする？What [are we doing] after lunch?
- またトラブル？今度は何？Mata toraburu? Kondo wa nani?Another trouble? What is it now?
- 今度は何？また新しいルール？Kondo wa nani? Mata atarashii ruru?What now? Another new rule?
Example conversation
Misaki keeps asking Hiroto for help with her homework.
- 大翔 Hiroto今度は何？kondo wa nani?What is it now?
- 美咲 Misakiこの問題が分からないの。kono mondai ga wakaranai no.I don't understand this problem.
- 大翔 Hirotoさっき教えたばかりだよ。sakki oshieta bakari da yo.I just taught you that.
- 美咲 Misakiお願い、大翔！onegai, Hiroto!Please, Hiroto!
