何か

Japanese

Kanji in this term
なに
Grade: 2
kun'yomi

Etymology

From (nani, what) +‎ (ka).

Pronunciation

Pronoun

(なに) or (なん) • (nanika or nanka

  1. something
    (なに)ちょうだい
    Nanika chōdai.
    Give me something.
    (かれ)(わたし)こと(なに)()ってました
    Kare, watashi no koto nanika ittemashita?
    Did he say anything about me?

Usage notes

  • Often written with hiragana (なにか) instead of with kanji ().
  • Also pronounced and spelled as なんか (nanka) which is an informal and casual version, often used between friends and those of equal status.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kindaichi, Kyōsuke et al., editors (1974), 新明解国語辞典 [Shin Meikai Kokugo Jiten] (in Japanese), Second edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō