Ask what something is

なに asks what something is.

JLPTN5

... はなにですか~ wa nani desu ka

What is [thing]?

Example Sentence

これthis はなに何？what

What is this?

Word Details →

なに means 'what'. It stays なに on its own but becomes なん before です, で, の and before any counter — so the everyday question is なんですか. Name the thing first with the topic marker は (pronounced wa), then put the question word where the answer would go: これはなんですか, 'what is this?'

Tips and Common Traps

Hana· Key point

なに is one of the most useful question words — for decoding menus, signs, or anything unfamiliar. Don't hesitate to ask!

Maru· Common trap

なに becomes なん before です, で, and の — and before any counter: 何時なんじ (what time), 何人なんにん (how many people). Before を it stays なに.

Build the Sentence

JLPT N5

1 / 5

what is this?

Arrange the words in the correct Japanese order:

は

what it's about · said "wa"

これ

this

ですか

is it? (question)

なん

what

... はどうですかこれは [noun/description] です