2 Japanese words read nan
nan (なん) is shared by 2 distinct words, each with its own kanji and meaning. Jump to: 何 · 何～.
何
なんWhat
N5pronoun·nan
How to remember it
何 reads "nan" before counters and "nani" elsewhere—same kanji, two sounds.
Example sentences
これは何ですか。
これはなんですか。
What is this?
今、何時ですか。
いま、なんじですか。
What time is it now?
Usage
Pronoun; "nan" before counter sounds (時, 歳), "nani" at sentence end.
Related words
何誰どこいつ
何～
なん～What; what kind of (before counters)
N5pronoun·nan
How to remember it
何 shifts to 'nan' before counters that start with t, d, or n sounds.
Example sentences
今、何時ですか。
いま、なんじですか。
What time is it now?
この町には人が何人住んでいますか。
このまちにはひとがなんにんすんでいますか。
How many people live in this town?
Usage
Read as 'nan' before counters starting with t, d, n; otherwise 'nani.'
Related words
何何時何人何歳