Japanese

なん
Meaning: what; how many (when used before counters)
Part of Speech: Noun, Prefix Alternative Readings: なに

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Example sentences

何時に来る
What time will you come?
これって何の本
What book is this?
彼は何といいましたか
What did he say?
ドアをノックしたが、中からは何の返事もなかった。
I knocked on the door, but there was no reply from inside.
その様は何だ。
What a sight you are!

Usage Notes

Read as 'nan' before certain sounds (t, d, n) and counters. Read as 'nani' in other contexts. Used as an interrogative pronoun and as a prefix for asking quantities or measurements. Common compounds include 何時 (what time), 何人 (how many people), 何個 (how many items).

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