N5

nani

何 (what)

N5

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Explanation

何 (なに/なん) means “what.” It is used to ask about things, actions, or information. The reading changes depending on the following sound. Key points: • 何 (なに) is common before particles: 何を, 何で • 何 (なん) is common before です/だ or counters: 何ですか, 何人 • Use it to ask about objects, activities, or details • Often appears with particles like を, が, で Example: “これは何ですか” means “What is this?” “何を食べますか” means “What will you eat?” The reading “なん” is used before です and many counters: 何ですか, 何人 (なんにん). For other cases, “なに” is safer. Practice by asking simple questions: 何をしますか, 何が好きですか, 何で行きますか.

Structure

Pattern
何 + Particle + Verb
What
Examples: , 何を, 何で
ParticleMarks role
Examples: , ,
VerbAction
Examples: 食べます, します, 買います

Examples

Example 1
これは何ですか。
Kore wa nan desu ka.
What is this?
Breakdown
これthis
topic marker
what
ですis
question marker
Note: Using なん before です
Example 2
何を食べますか。
Nani o tabemasu ka.
What will you eat?
Breakdown
what
object marker
食べますeat
question marker
Note: Object question
Example 3
何で行きますか。
Nani de ikimasu ka.
How will you go? (by what?)
Breakdown
what
means/with
行きますgo
question marker
Note: By what means
Example 4
何が好きですか。
Nani ga suki desu ka.
What do you like?
Breakdown
what
subject marker
好きlike
ですis
question marker
Note: Preference question

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