{"id":1648,"date":"2009-11-03T04:28:06","date_gmt":"2009-11-03T06:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/?p=1648"},"modified":"2026-08-10T20:53:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T23:53:34","slug":"when-to-use-nan-or-nani","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/quando-usar-nan-ou-nani\/","title":{"rendered":"Nani and nan in Japanese: meaning and when to use"},"content":{"rendered":"

the kanji \u4f55<\/strong> means \u201cwhat\u201d and has two very common readings: \u306a\u306b (nani)<\/strong> and \u306a\u3093 (nan)<\/strong>. In general, use nani<\/strong> when \u4f55 functions as an interrogative word before particles like \u3092, \u304c, and \u306b; use nan<\/strong> before \u3067\u3059, \u306e, and many counters or units, such as \u6642, \u4eba, \u6b73, and \u679a.<\/p>\n\n

The choice does not depend on formality. It depends on the structure that comes after \u4f55 and, in some cases, on an established combination. Learning the most common patterns is more useful than trying to translate each character in isolation.<\/p>\n\n

What do nani and nan mean in Japanese?<\/h2>\n\n

Nani<\/strong> and nan<\/strong> are not two words with opposite meanings. They are readings of the same kanji, \u4f55<\/strong>, used to ask \u201cwhat\u201d, \u201cwhich\u201d, or \u201chow many\u201d, depending on the construction.<\/p>\n\n

The initial material Irodori from the Japan Foundation explicitly presents the two readings of \u4f55<\/a>: \u306a\u3093<\/strong> with \u3067\u3059\u304b and in combinations like \u4f55\u6b73 and \u4f55\u6642; \u306a\u306b<\/strong> with particles in examples like \u4f55\u3092 and \u4f55\u304c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Use mainly<\/th>Pattern<\/th>Example<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u306a\u306b (nani)<\/strong><\/td>\u4f55 + particle, such as \u3092, \u304c, \u306b, \u3082, and \u304b<\/td>\u4f55\u3092\u3057\u307e\u3059\u304b<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u306a\u3093 (nan)<\/strong><\/td>\u4f55 + \u3067\u3059\uff0f\u3060<\/td>\u3053\u308c\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u306a\u3093 (nan)<\/strong><\/td>\u4f55 + counter, unit, or fixed combination<\/td>\u4f55\u6642\u3001\u4f55\u4eba\u3001\u4f55\u6b73<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u306a\u3093 (nan)<\/strong><\/td>\u4f55 + \u306e<\/td>\u4f55\u306e\u672c\u3067\u3059\u304b<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

This table is a practical rule for beginners. There are combinations that need to be learned as a unit, and \u4f55\u3067<\/strong> deserves special attention because the reading can change the interpretation.<\/p>\n\n

When to use nani (\u306a\u306b)<\/h2>\n\n

Use \u306a\u306b<\/strong> when \u4f55 appears as an interrogative before particles that indicate its function in the sentence. This occurs frequently before \u3092<\/strong>, \u304c<\/strong>, \u306b<\/strong> and \u3082<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

\u4f55\u3092\u98f2\u307f\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u306a\u306b\u3092 \u306e\u307f\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002
\nNani o nomimasu ka?<\/em>
\nWhat are you going to drink?<\/p>\n\n

\u4f55\u304c\u5fc5\u8981\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u306a\u306b\u304c \u3072\u3064\u3088\u3046\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002
\nNani ga hitsuy\u014d desu ka?<\/em>
\nWhat is necessary?<\/p>\n\n

\u4f55\u306b\u3057\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u306a\u306b\u306b \u3057\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002
\nNani ni shimasu ka?<\/em>
\nWhich one will you choose?<\/p>\n\n

The same pattern appears in \u4f55\u304b<\/strong> (nanika<\/em>, \u201csomething\u201d or \u201csome thing\u201d) and \u4f55\u3082<\/strong> (nanimo<\/em>). In negative sentences, \u4f55\u3082<\/strong> usually means \u201cnothing\u201d: \u4f55\u3082\u98df\u3079\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/strong> (Nanimo tabemasen<\/em>, \u201cI don\u2019t eat anything\u201d). The Japan Foundation registers \u4f55\u304b as \u306a\u306b\u304b and \u4f55\u306b as \u306a\u306b\u306b<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

To understand how these words fit into a complete question, see the guide on questions in japanese<\/a> and the overview of japanese particles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

When to use nan (\u306a\u3093)<\/h2>\n\n

Use \u306a\u3093<\/strong> before \u3067\u3059<\/strong> and \u3060<\/strong>. In that environment, the short form makes pronunciation natural:<\/p>\n\n

\u3053\u308c\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u3053\u308c\u306f \u306a\u3093\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002
\nKore wa nan desu ka?<\/em>
\nWhat is this?<\/p>\n\n

\u3042\u308c\u306f\u4f55\u3060\u3063\u305f\uff1f<\/strong>
\n\u3042\u308c\u306f \u306a\u3093\u3060\u3063\u305f\uff1f
\nAre wa nan datta?<\/em>
\nWhat was that?<\/p>\n\n

The article on \u3067\u3059 in Japanese<\/a> explains the difference in register between \u3067\u3059 and \u3060 and their inflected forms.<\/p>\n\n

Nan<\/strong> also appears in various combinations with counters, time, and quantity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Form<\/th>Reading<\/th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u4f55\u6642<\/td>\u306a\u3093\u3058 \u2014 nanji<\/em><\/td>what time<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u4f55\u4eba<\/td>\u306a\u3093\u306b\u3093 \u2014 nannin<\/em><\/td>how many people<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u4f55\u6b73<\/td>\u306a\u3093\u3055\u3044 \u2014 nansai<\/em><\/td>how old<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u4f55\u679a<\/td>\u306a\u3093\u307e\u3044 \u2014 nanmai<\/em><\/td>how many flat objects<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u4f55\u66dc\u65e5<\/td>\u306a\u3093\u3088\u3046\u3073 \u2014 nan-y\u014dbi<\/em><\/td>what day of the week<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

It's not enough to see a noun after \u4f55 and automatically choose nan. Learn each frequent combination with its reading. The guide to Japanese kanji<\/a> shows how to study readings within words and contexts, instead of memorizing isolated values.<\/p>\n\n

Why is \u4f55\u306e read as nanno?<\/h2>\n\n

The combination \u4f55\u306e<\/strong> is read \u306a\u3093\u306e (nanno)<\/strong> asks \u201cwhat\u201d, \u201cwhich\u201d, or \u201cof what\u201d before a noun:<\/p>\n\n

What book is this?<\/strong>
\nWhat book is this?
\nKore wa nanno hon desu ka?<\/em>
\nWhat book is this?<\/p>\n\n

What is the celebration?<\/strong>
\nWhat is the celebration?
\nNanno oiwai desu ka?<\/em>
\nWhat is the occasion of the celebration?<\/p>\n\n

The second example and its reading appear in Irodori in an activity about celebrations<\/a>. It shows why \u201cparticle after \u4f55\u201d is only an initial guideline: \u306e<\/strong> forms a well-established combination with \u306a\u3093<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

\u4f55\u3067: nanide or nande?<\/h2>\n\n

When \u3067<\/strong> marks instrument, means, or transportation, the reading clearly taught to beginners is \u306a\u306b\u3067 (nanide)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n

How do you come to school? \/ By what means do you come?<\/strong>
\nHow do you come to school? \/ By what means do you come?
\nGakk\u014d made nanide kimasu ka?<\/em>
\nHow do you come to school? \/ By what means do you come?<\/p>\n\n

This usage is confirmed by Irodori when explaining questions about means and transportation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

In everyday speech, \u306a\u3093\u3067 (nande)<\/strong> is widely used with the meaning of \u201cwhy\u201d. Since the writing can be identical, context and pronunciation resolve the interpretation. To avoid ambiguity when asking for a reason, beginners can also use \u3069\u3046\u3057\u3066 (d\u014dshite)<\/strong> or Why (naze)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Therefore, the old phrase What shall we eat this cake with?<\/strong>, with reading nani de<\/strong>, it doesn't ask \u201cwhich cake\u201d. It asks \u201cWhat are we going to eat this cake with?\u201d<\/strong>, for example, with a fork or spoon.<\/p>\n\n

Common mistakes when choosing nan or nani<\/h2>\n\n