何

• Reading: なに
• Romaji: nani
• Kanji breakdown: 何 (ka/nani/nan) — what
• Pronunciation: /na.ni/

Meaning

What. The basic interrogative pronoun for asking about things.

Has two readings: なに before most particles and words, and なん before counters, です, and words beginning with d/t/n sounds (何時 = なんじ, 何ですか = なんですか). One of the most essential question words. Combines with many particles: 何が (what, subject), 何を (what, object), 何で (why/by what means).

Examples

1. これは何ですか。 What is this?
2. 何を食べたいですか。 What do you want to eat?
3. 何が好きですか。 What do you like?

Usage Guide

Context: questions, daily life, conversation

Tone: inquisitive

Origin & History

One of the oldest interrogative pronouns in Japanese, attested from the earliest written records. The kanji 何 is of Chinese origin, composed of 亻 (person) and 可 (possible), suggesting 'what is possible for a person to know.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal