Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 17/23

(なに)Or something, Or something like that

Pronounced as なんか in casual situations

Structure

Noun + (なに)

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About か何か

(なに) is a structure in Japanese used for expressing uncertainty about a specific thing. Being a construction of か, the substitute noun (なに), and か, the common translations of 'or something', and 'or something like (A)' are quite close to the more literal meaning which is just '(A), or whatever it is'.

(なに) will follow directly after the noun that it is describing as being something uncertain.

(なに) will also often be used in questions, or when offering someone something. This is primarily when more than (A) is available as a choice, but the speaker isn't specifying a list just yet. In these situations, (A) just indicates a general category to which 'or something else' would be a part of.

Examples

--:--

    学校(がっこう)(なに)(かよ)ってるみたいだけど。

    He seems to go to school or something.

    仕事(しごと)でいやなことがあった(なに)機嫌(きげん)(わる)そうね。」

    'Did something happen at work or something? You seem to be in a bad mood.'

    バーテンダーのひとみさん:「お()(もの)はいかが?」
    顧客(こきゃく)のにったさん:「ビール(なに)がほしいな。」

    Hitomi, the bartender: 'How about a drink?'.
    Nitta, the customer: 'I'd like a beer or something'.

    (おく)さん:「コーヒー(なに)()みませんか?」
    (きゃく)さん:「結構(けっこう)です。」

    Wife: 'Would you like coffee or something to drink?'
    Guest: 'No, I'm fine.'

    警察官(けいさつかん):「泥棒(どろぼう)はバール(なに)使(つか)って、(まど)()けたと(おも)います。」

    Policeman: 'I think that the thief opened the window using a crowbar or something.'

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online


    • Offline

        There are no Offline resources listed for 「か何か」.

        You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

      • Track Resources!

        Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

      か何か – Grammar Discussion

        There's currently no discussion for か何か
        Ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!