Japanese grammar
What does ～かなあ mean? Japanese grammar N3
～かなあ means I wonder if… (soliloquy / wondering to oneself).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Plain form + かなあ N／な形 + かなあ（drop だ） |
| Romaji | kanaa |
| Meaning | I wonder if… (soliloquy / wondering to oneself) |
Forming it
| Verb | 晴れる → 晴れるかなあ |
|---|---|
| i-adjective | 辛い → 辛いかなあ |
| Noun / na-adjective | 大丈夫 → 大丈夫かなあ |
How to use it
Muttering a question to oneself, or saying something casually for the person nearby to hear. Casual, colloquial.
- 「かなあ」 is a self-directed question, not demanding an answer from the listener: 「明日晴れるかなあ」 (I wonder if it'll be sunny tomorrow).
- Nouns and na-adjectives DROP 「だ」: 「大丈夫かなあ」, not 「大丈夫だかなあ」.
- The negative form 「～ないかなあ」 instead carries the meaning of a WISH: 「早く来ないかなあ」 (I wish they'd come soon). Women often use 「かしら」 instead of 「かな」.
Examples
明日は晴れるかなあ。
I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.
このスープ、辛いかなあ。
I wonder if this soup is spicy.
Keep in mind
- Not used with someone of higher status — this is talking to oneself.
- Drop 「だ」 after a noun or na-adjective.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこれは大丈夫だかなあ。
I wonder if this is okay.
Correctこれは大丈夫かなあ。
After nouns and na-adjectives, 「だ」 must be dropped.
-
Wrong部長、この資料でいいかなあ。
Manager, is this document okay?
Correct部長、この資料でよろしいでしょうか。
「かなあ」 is a self-mutter, not used to ask a superior.
Exam tips
- 「かなあ」 = wondering to oneself (colloquial); drop 「だ」; 「ないかなあ」 = I wish.