How to Say ‘What’ in Japanese
なに
なに
💬 Usage Tip: [なに] is “what.” Before some sounds, it may feel like it links smoothly into the next word.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Direct questions can be softened with polite forms; pairing with [ですか] or [していますか] sounds less blunt.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
なになに
[nani]
what
Question word used to ask about things/actions. Common in “What kind of work do you do?”
いまなにをしていますか。
What are you doing now?
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