なん～

When to use

なん before です, a counter, or で/の/と (なんですか, なん歳). Elsewhere, なに.

Explanation

The なん～ grammar point is used to form interrogative questions and emphasize the question word for 'what' or 'how'. It is an abbreviation of '何' meaning 'what'. Its usage can vary depending on whether it is used with a counter, verb, or adjective.

• あなたはなん歳さいですか？

  How old are you?

  Anata wa nan-sai desu ka?

• これはなんですか？

  What is this?

  Kore wa nan desu ka?

• 彼かれはなんで来きましたか？

  Why did he come?

  Kare wa nan de kimashita ka?

• あのレストランはなんと言いう名前なまえですか？

  What is the name of that restaurant?

  Ano resutoran wa nan to iu namae desu ka?

What (Something / Anything / Nothing / How Many)

• なに～nani~N5Asking about 'what' or 'which' in Japanese
• なにか～nanika～N5Indicates 'something' or 'some kind of'.
• なんでも～nandemo～N5Means 'any', 'anything', 'anyone'.
• なにも～ませんnanimo~masenN5Used to express 'not anything', 'nothing'.
• なんで～nande～N5Asking the reason or cause; 'why', 'how come'.
• いくつ～ikutsu~N5Used to express 'how many' or ask for the number of…

Compare when to use each