UPDATE | April 01, 2022
Japanese kanji are the same kanji and can be read in various ways. Do you ever know what to read as "Nani" or "Nan"?
In this column, I will teach you the rules for reading "Nani" and "Nan". Sometimes it may be different from the rules, but at that time, listen carefully to the Japanese way of speaking and remember it.
INDEX
A book to find out how to read kanji (common kanji) that are often used in daily life"NHK New Character Glossary 3rd Edition"Then, the reading of "nan" is written as "special" or "very narrow usage (= not used much)". However, this is because this dictionary is used by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) on TV and radio, and when writing sentences.
When we talk to people, we often use both "Nani" and "Nan". So how do you separate the readings of "Nani" and "Nan"?
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"Nani" is often used for "what kind of, which".
Q.What prefectureDo you live in (A. I live in Kanagawa prefecture)
Q. With foodWhatDo you like (A. I like hamburgers)
"Nan" is often used in "how many" (= how many).How many times, how many books, how many, how manyWhen the answer is a number, use "nan".
Q. Last year, I got a bookHow many books (Nansatsu)Did you read it? (A. I read about 10 books)
Q. There are more productsHow many (Nanko), Are you left? (A. 2 are left)
And even with the same Chinese characters, the meaning of the question changes between "Nani" and "Nan".
Q.What colorDo you like (A. I like red)
Q.What colorDo you use it? (A. Use 3 colors)
Q. IWhatIs it a class? (Mr. A. 〇〇 is in B class)
Q. This schoolwhat)Do you have a class? (A. There are 7 classes)
Q. This yearHow many years (what)Is it? (A. 2022 is the year of the tiger)
Q. Reiwa this yearHow many yearsIs it? (A. 2022 is the 4th year of Reiwa)
When speaking, think about the meaning and try using "Nani" and "Nan".
"What" "What" "What" "What" The reading of this "what" is all "nan". in shortWhen the sound next to "what" is "d", "n", "t", the reading is often "nan".is.
・WhatWhat? (When you want to ask why?)
・WhatBut it's okay ~ (when asked which one to choose)
・WhatStory? (When you want to know what you were talking about)
・WhatBut it's not ~ (when asked what you were talking about and you don't want to say it)
by the way,"WhatBecause! I often use it in manga and anime, but I don't use it much in my usual conversation.
what are you doing? / What is that? / What is good? / What are you going to do? Etc. can be either "Nani" or "Nan". Let's look at the two in the same conversation.
① "Nani" ...Whatdoing? /That,what?／WhatIs it good? /WhatDo you want to?
② "Nan" ...Whatdoing? /That,what?／WhatIs it good? /WhatDo you want to?
① feels more polite and gentle. I use the phrase ② when speaking in a dialect, such as family members, close friends, and so on.
In the dialects of western Japan and Kyushu (words used only in that area, such as a certain municipality or prefecture), "nan" is often used. If you can understand the dialect "Nan", the conversation will be fun.
・Whathand? (What did you say?)
・WhatI don't know (I don't know anything)
・Whatwhat? (what is it?)
What do you do when you are having a conversation in Japanese and you can't say what you want to say? In such a case, try using the following "nan" word.
・「WhatDo you say ""WhatI wonder if I can say it "(when I can't put what I want to say into words)
・「SomethingIsn't it strange? ""SomethingI don't know "(when I don't know the reason)
Now, let's review today's column. Which of "Nani" and "Nan" should be read for "what" in 1.2.3 below? If you don't understand, please read the column again.
1．anythingPlease listen.
2．somethingIf so, please contact me.
3. 3. eh,What's this!! What's wrong?
Thank you for reading to the end.
Stay tuned for next month's column!
Answer the quiz (1. Nan 2. Nani 3. Nani* Some people say 2 and 3 are "nan")
I teach Japanese at Japanese language schools and universities in Kyushu. I love games and manga. I also work as a coordinator and web writer to create a local Japanese language class for those who are studying Japanese.
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