何【なに】

The word 何 (なに / なん) is an interrogative pronoun meaning "what" in Japanese. It is used to inquire about objects, concepts, or actions.

To form questions with 何, replace the noun or concept being queried with 何, and attach the appropriate particle if necessary.

Readings: なに vs なん

There are no strict rules to determine which reading to use, but the following can serve as general guidelines:

Reading as なに

• Standalone usage: When 何 stands alone or at the end of a sentence.

• Non-numerical compounds: なにもの何者, なにいろ何色, なにけん何県

Reading as なん

• Before counters: なん何さい歳, なん何だい台, なんがつ何月
• Before ですか: