Vocabulary

What does 何で (なんで, nande) mean?

何で (なんで, nande) means why, what for.

Quick facts
Readingなんで
Romajinande
Part of speechadverb
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N3
なんで
N3 · estimated, JLPT frameworkCommonnande

why, what for

  1. 1adverb why?; what for?
  2. 2adverb how?; by what means?

Example sentences

  • Why are you crying?

  • Why didn't you come yesterday?

Kanji in this word

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Data sources and licences

Entries, readings and English glosses: JMdict — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and their translations written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.