Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 29/37

(なに)Or something, Or something like that

Pronounced as なんか in casual situations

Structure

Noun + (なに)

Details

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About か何か

(なに) is a structure in Japanese used for expressing uncertainty about a specific thing. Being a construction of か, the substitute noun (なに), and か, the common translations of 'or something', and 'or something like (A)' are quite close to the more literal meaning which is just '(A), or whatever it is'.

(なに) will follow directly after the noun that it is describing as being something uncertain.

(なに) will also often be used in questions, or when offering someone something. This is primarily when more than (A) is available as a choice, but the speaker isn't specifying a list just yet. In these situations, (A) just indicates a general category to which 'or something else' would be a part of.

Examples

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    学校(がっこう)(なに)(かよ)ってるみたいだけど。

    He seems to go to school or something.

    仕事(しごと)でいやなことがあった(なに)機嫌(きげん)(わる)そうね。」

    'Did something happen at work or something? You seem to be in a bad mood.'

    バーテンダーのひとみさん:「お()(もの)はいかが?」
    顧客(こきゃく)のにったさん:「ビール(なに)がほしいな。」

    Hitomi, the bartender: 'How about a drink?'.
    Nitta, the customer: 'I'd like a beer or something'.

    (おく)さん:「コーヒー(なに)()みませんか?」
    (きゃく)さん:「結構(けっこう)です。」

    Wife: 'Would you like coffee or something to drink?'
    Guest: 'No, I'm fine.'

    警察官(けいさつかん):「泥棒(どろぼう)はバール(なに)使(つか)って、(まど)()けたと(おも)います。」

    Policeman: 'I think that the thief opened the window using a crowbar or something.'

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