“何 (Nan)” vs “何 (Nani)”: What’s the Difference?

Grammar

なん

Ex.: これはなんみますか。

Rm.: Kore wa nan to yomimasu ka.

En.: How do you read this?

Ex.: このどうなん使つかいますか。

Rm.: Kono dougu wa nan ni tsukaimasu ka.

En.: What is this tool used for?

Ex.: これはなんですか。

Rm.: Kore wa nan desu ka.

En.: What is this?

Ex.: なんらかのえいきょうがあるはずです。

Rm.: Nanraka no eikyo ga aru hazu desu.

En.: It must have some effect.

Ex.: きょうしつおんななんにんいますか。

Rm.: Kyoshitsu ni onnanoko ga nan nin imasu ka.

En.: How many girls are in the classroom?

なに

Ex.: きのなにべましたか。

Rm.: Kinou, nani o tabemashita ka.

En.: What did you eat yesterday?

Ex.: ほんしょくなにいちばんきですか。

Rm.: Nihonshoku de nani ga ichiban suki desu ka.

En.: What Japanese food do you like the most?

Ex.: きのなにもしませんでした。

Rm.: Kinou wa nanimo shimasen deshita.

En.: I didn’t do anything yesterday.

Ex.: きのなにいそがしかったです。

Rm.: Kino wa nanise isogashikatta desu.

En.: I was really busy yesterday.

Ex.: ここになにやらいてあります。

Rm.: Koko ni naniyara ji ga kaite arimasu.

En.: There is some writing here.

Japanese Grammar (日本語文法)
Learn essential Japanese grammar for daily conversations! Clear English translations and helpful illustrations make it easy to understand. Perfect for all Japanese learners!

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