Nani or Nan: Read and Use 何 in Questions

何 has more than one reading. Learn common combinations such as 何ですか, 何時, and 何を rather than trying to pronounce every written 何 in the same way. What follows the word often helps determine the reading and the kind of answer requested.

Formation and use

何ですか is normally なんですか. 何時 and 何曜日 are なんじ and なんようび. The counter or noun after 何 can create a fixed pronunciation, so learn it as part of the expression.

Before を and が, the basic question word is なに: 何を食べますか, 何がありますか. This asks for an object or thing rather than a count.

Comparisons and common errors

何人 is read なんにん when asking how many people. 何語（なにご） asks which language, while 何時（なんじ） asks the clock time. Pronunciation shortcuts have exceptions; confirm unfamiliar combinations.

Answer the requested category: 本です for identity, 七時です for time, and パンを食べます for an object question. Do not answer a time question with a location merely because both start with 何 or a similar sound.

Practise with explanations

Try the 10 questions below, or open the practice set. Check each answer or the whole set, read the explanation, and retry mistakes. First-attempt results are kept separately on this device.

Connected lessons

• Itsu, Nanji, and Nanyoubi: Ask About Time
• Japanese Counters: Ko, Hon, Mai, and Nin
• Kore, Sore, Are, and Dore: Point to Things