What about 何で — is it なにで or なんで?

Both exist with different meanings: なにで = by what means, なんで = why (casual). At N5, focus on the core patterns.

JLPT N5 Grammar: 何 (nani/nan) — “What” Question Word

JLPT N5 Grammar: 何 (nani/nan)

Q: How do I know when to use なに and when to use なん?

Before です, だ, and counters (時, 人, 月 etc.), use なん. Before particles like を, が, も, に, use なに.

Q: Is なにですか ever correct?

In standard Japanese, no. 何ですか is always read なんですか. Some dialects may use なに, but it's not standard and would be marked wrong on the JLPT.

The question word “what” — how to read it and how to use it

JLPTジェイエルピーティー N5エヌゴ文法ぶんぽう疑問詞ぎもんし「何なに/なん」解説かいせつ

⏱️ Study time: 5–7 minutes

何なに is the Japanese word for “what”. It has two readings — なに and なん — and knowing when to use each is a basic N5 skill. This lesson covers the pronunciation rules, common question patterns, and traps to avoid.

🚀 JLPT N5 Warm-up Quiz

Q: How do you read 何___ in “何___ですか” (What is it?)?

Answer: B (なんですか). Before です, 何なん is always read as なん. なにですか is incorrect in standard Japanese.

Quick Summary

Kanji
何なに

Readings
なに / なん

Meaning
what

Example
これは何なんですか。これはなんですか。Kore wa nan desu ka.
What is this?

⚡ なに vs なん — When to Use Which

何なに has two readings. The choice depends on the sound that follows it.

Reading	Used before	Example
なん	です, だ, の, と, か, でも, etc.	何なんですか (what is it?)
なに	を, が, も, に, か (when alone), etc.	何なにをしますか (what will you do?)

💡 Simple rule: Before です, だ, and な (as in 何なになの？), always use なん. Before the particles を, が, も, に, use なに. When 何なに stands alone (like an exclamation “何なに？！”), it's read なに.

⚡ Common Question Patterns with 何なに

Pattern	Reading	Meaning
何なんですか	nan desu ka	What is it?
何なにをしますか	nani o shimasu ka	What will you do?
何なにがいいですか	nani ga ii desu ka	What would you like?
何なん時じですか	nanji desu ka	What time is it?
何なにも〜ない	nani mo ~ nai	nothing (with negative)

⚠️ JLPT Trap: 何なに is read なん when it's part of a compound with a counter or time word (何なん時じ = なんじ, 何なん人にん = なんにん, 何なん月がつ = なんがつ). In "何なん + counter" compounds, なん is almost always the correct reading.

Examples & Mini Dialogue

それは何なんですか。それはなんですか。Sore wa nan desu ka.
What is that?

✅ 何なに + です → なん.

週末しゅうまつに何なにをしますか。しゅうまつになにをしますか。Shūmatsu ni nani o shimasu ka.
What will you do on the weekend?

🗣️ Mini Dialogue
A: 今いま何なん時じですか。いまなんじですか。Ima nanji desu ka.
B: ３時さんじです。さんじです。Sanji desu.

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

✕ なにですか

✓ なんですか (Before です, always なん).

✕ なんをしますか

✓ なにをしますか (Before を, use なに).

✕ なにじですか (What time is it?)

✓ なんじですか (何なに + counter/時じ → なん).

JLPT N5 Practice Questions

Score: 0 / 3

1. How do you read 何___ in “何___ですか”?

2. “What will you eat?” — which is correct?

3. “What time is it?” — choose the correct reading.

🎯 JLPT N5 tip: 何なに is one of the most frequent words on the test. The なに vs なん distinction is tested in the listening section — you'll hear both, and choosing the wrong one can change the meaning or sound unnatural. Remember: before です, always なん.

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About the Instructor

Taught by Anup Sensei at Gogaku Language & Training Center in Pokhara. With real Japan experience and a focus on exam essentials, he helps students pass the JLPT with confidence.

⚡ Vocabulary Used in This Lesson

Japanese	Reading	Type	English Meaning
何なに/なん	なに / なん	Interrogative	what
週末しゅうまつ	しゅうまつ	Noun	weekend
今いま	いま	Noun	now
時じ	じ	Suffix	o'clock
食たべる	たべる	Ichidan verb	to eat

Related Grammar

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when to use なに and when to use なん?

Before です, だ, and counters (時じ, 人にん, 月がつ etc.), use なん. Before particles like を, が, も, に, use なに. When in doubt, check a dictionary for the specific compound.

Is なにですか ever correct?

In standard Japanese, no. 何なんですか is always read なんですか. Some dialects may use なに, but it's not standard and would be marked wrong on the JLPT.

What about 何なにで — is it なにで or なんで?

Both exist with different meanings: なにで = by what means (e.g., 何なにで行いきますか = by what will you go?). なんで = why (casual). At N5, focus on the core patterns above.

Continue Learning

Next: 誰だれ (dare) — the question word for "who".

Learn 誰だれ →

→ Explore the JLPT N5 Grammar Hub

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