What
何
What
Kun-yomi 🇯🇵:
なに/なん (nani/nan)
(Japanese reading)On-yomi 🇨🇳:
カ (ka)
(Chinese-derived reading)
Pronunciation rules
- なに (nani) is used when the kanji stands alone or at the beginning of a question.
- なん (nan) is used before certain sounds (like が, に, じ) in compounds like 何月 (なんがつ, nangatsu: what month), 何人 (なんにん, nannin: how many people), and 何時 (なんじ, nanji: what time).
- The reading changes from なに (nani) to なん (nan) for easier pronunciation before certain consonants.
- Etymology: Picture of a person carrying a heavy bag → we ask what is inside → what
Examples
Kun-yomiNative Japanese Readings
何 ですか。
What is it?
Uses kun-yomi なに (nani) when the kanji stands alone meaning what
ExceptionIrregular Readings
何月 ですか。
What month is it?
Exception: 何 is read as なん (nan) in 何月, which changes from なに (nani) to なん (nan) before certain sounds
何人 ですか。
How many people?
Exception: 何 is read as なん (nan) in 何人, which changes from なに (nani) to なん (nan) before certain sounds
何時 ですか。
What time is it?
Exception: 何 is read as なん (nan) in 何時, which changes from なに (nani) to なん (nan) before certain sounds
Quick facts
- Radical: 人 (person)
- Strokes: 7
- Common compounds: 何月 (なんがつ, nangatsu), 何人 (なんにん, nannin), 何時 (なんじ, nanji)
- ⚠️ Reading usage:
- Standalone: なに (nani) - what
- Before certain sounds: なん (nan) - what
Key Words
何 - what
何月 - what month
何人 - how many people
何時 - what time