Japanese grammar
What does なにか mean? Japanese grammar N5
なにか means something; some thing.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | なにか + noun なにか + verb (particle often omitted) |
| Romaji | nanika |
| Meaning | something; some thing |
Forming it
| Connection | なにか + noun |
|---|
How to use it
States that some thing/matter exists, but exactly what it is has not been specified.
- In a question, 「なにか食べましたか」 asks WHETHER you ate anything (answer はい／いいえ); 「なにを食べましたか」 asks WHAT you ate.
- The particles 「を」「が」 after 「なにか」 are often dropped: 「なにか飲みますか」.
Examples
なにか飲み物を持ってきてください。
Please bring something to drink.
なにか質問があれば、遠慮なく聞いてください。
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Keep in mind
- Read as 「なにか」, sometimes shortened to 「なんか」 in colloquial speech.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongなにを飲み物を持ってきてください。
Please bring something to drink.
Correctなにか飲み物を持ってきてください。
「なにを」 is a question meaning "what"; to say "something", use 「なにか」 instead.
-
Wrongなにかも食べませんでした。
I'm not eating anything at all.
Correctなにも食べませんでした。
"Nothing at all" in a negative sentence uses 「なにも」; don't combine 「なにか」 with 「も」.
Exam tips
- なにか = something; なにを = asking what specifically.