Grammar
Question word

何(なに)

  • A question word used to inquire about various things such as objects, actions, and concepts.
  • Depending on the context and the particles it combines with, it can form different types of questions.
  • Note that there are two readings: "なん(nan)" and "なに(nani)."
    - "なん(nan)": used when followed by the sounds "t", "d", or "n", or when followed by a counter.
    - "なに(nani)": used in all other cases.

Meaning

what

Example Sentences

  • 何(なに)が好(す)きですか。 ー 私(わたし)はサッカーが好(す)きです。
    What do you like? - I like soccer.
  • 何(なに)が食(た)べたいですか。 ー 魚(さかな)が食(た)べたいです。
    What do you want to eat? - I want to eat fish.
  • 何(なに)を話(はな)しているんですか。 ー 来(らい)月(げつ)の旅(りょ)行(こう)のことです。
    What are you talking about? - About next month's trip.
  • 何(なん)の本(ほん)を買(か)いましたか。 ー 外(がい)国(こく)語(ご)の本(ほん)を買(か)いました。
    What kind of book did you buy? - I bought a foreign language book.
  • 何(なん)で学(がっ)校(こう)まで行(い)きますか。 ー バスで学(がっ)校(こう)まで行(い)きます。
    How do you go to school? - I go to school by bus.

Tags

JLPT N5