Japanese Grammar: なんか / なんて / など (Nado, Nante, Nanka)

By /
Japanese Grammar: なんか / なんて / など (Nado, Nante, Nanka)
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Used to list examples (etc.), to downplay the importance of something, or to express surprise/disbelief.

🎯 Primary Function

To categorize items or express an emotional stance (surprise, humility, or disdain) toward a topic.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun / Verb (Plain form) + なんか / なんて / など
i-Adj + なんて / など
na-Adj + なんて / など / なんか
Noun / Verb-dictionary form + なんて / なんか + Negative Verb

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

‘Nado’ is preferred in formal writing, business, and speeches.

😊 Informal Situations

‘Nante’ and ‘Nanka’ are common in daily conversation among friends and family.

✍️ Written Language

‘Nado’ is standard for lists in essays and reports.

🗣️ Spoken Language

‘Nanka’ is frequently used as a filler word similar to ‘like’ or ‘somehow’ in English.

💡 Common Applications

Listing Examples
Used like ‘etc.’ to show that the items listed are just a few examples of a larger category.
Example: パンやケーキなどを買いました。
Expressing Surprise/Disbelief
Used when something unexpected happens, often conveying shock or emotional emphasis.
Example: あなたが結婚するなんて！
Modesty or Humility
Used to downplay one’s own abilities or status to show politeness or humility.
Example: 私なんかまだまだです。
Dismissive/Belittling Attitude
Used to show that the speaker considers something unimportant, trivial, or negative.
Example: 料理なんか嫌いだ。
📊
Frequency
Very High
🎚️
Difficulty
N3 (Intermediate)
Tag:

Related Kanji

JLPT N3 Kanji List

Related Vocabulary

JLPT N3 Vocabulary List
Example Sentences
Example #1
果物などが食べたいです。
Furigana: くだもの などが たべたいです。
Romaji: Kudamono nado ga tabetai desu.
English: I want to eat something like fruit.
Example #2
彼が成功するなんて驚きです。
Furigana: かれが せいこうするなんて おどろきです。
Romaji: Kare ga seikou suru nante odoroki desu.
English: It’s surprising that he succeeded.
Example #3
そんな難しいこと、私なんかにはできません。
Furigana: そんな むずかしいこと、わたしなんかには できません。
Romaji: Sonna muzukashii koto, watashi nanka ni wa dekimasen.
English: I can’t do such a difficult thing.
Example #4
お金なんていりません！
Furigana: おかねなんて いりません！
Romaji: Okane nante irimasen!
English: I don’t need things like money!
Example #5
今週末は映画などはどうですか。
Furigana: こんしゅうまつは えいがなど どうですか。
Romaji: Konshuumatsu wa eiga nado dou desu ka.
English: How about watching a movie or something this weekend?
Example #6
勉強なんかしたくないよ。
Furigana: べんきょうなんか したくないよ。
Romaji: Benkyou nanka shitakunai yo.
English: I don’t want to do something like studying.
Example #7
宝くじに当たるなんて夢にも思わなかった。
Furigana: たからくじに あたるなんて ゆめにも おもわなかった。
Romaji: Takarakuji ni ataru nante yume ni mo omowanakatta.
English: I never dreamed that I would win the lottery.
Example #8
なんか、今日は頭がいたいです。
Furigana: なんか、きょうは あたまが いたいです。
Romaji: Nanka, kyou wa atama ga itai desu.
English: Somehow, I have a headache today.
Example #9
資料やペンなどを準備してください。
Furigana: しりょうや ペンなどを じゅんびしてください。
Romaji: Shiryou ya pen nado o junbi shite kudasai.
English: Please prepare documents, pens, and so on.
Example #10
テストがこんなに簡単だったなんて。
Furigana: テストが こんなに かんたんだったなんて。
Romaji: Tesuto ga konna ni kantan datta nante.
English: The test was unexpectedly easy.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Nanka as a Filler
‘Nanka’ is often used at the start of a sentence to mean ‘somehow’ or ‘for some reason.’
Example: なんか、お腹が空いた。
Humility and Self-deprecation
Using these with oneself is a common way to show humility in Japanese culture.
Example: 私なんか… (Someone like me…)
Verb connection to Nante
When a verb precedes ‘Nante’, it must be in the plain (dictionary) form.
Example: 嘘をつくなんて最低だ。

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ 料理なんかを作ります。(in a formal report)
✅ 料理などを作ります。
‘Nado’ is formal. Using ‘Nanka’ in a very formal report sounds too casual and dismissive.
❌ 彼が来るなど驚いた。
✅ 彼が来るなんて驚いた。
‘Nante’ is used for emotional emphasis. ‘Nado’ here would sound cold and clinical.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Nado (High/Formal), Nante (Medium/Expressive), Nanka (Low/Casual).
Social Situations: Using ‘Nanka’ when referring to a superior or their actions can be very rude as it implies their actions are trivial.
Regional Variations: ‘Nanka’ is used ubiquitously across Japan as a conversational filler.

🔍 Subtle Differences

Nado vs. Nante
Nado is objective and formal; Nante is subjective and emotional.
When to use: Use Nado for lists; use Nante for reactions.
Nante vs. Nanka
Nanka is more casual and can be used as a sentence-starter; Nante is more focused on the preceding word.
When to use: Use Nanka for vague feelings; use Nante for strong surprise.

📝 Conjugation Notes

These particles usually follow Nouns or Verb Plain Forms directly. ‘Nanka’ and ‘Nante’ are often followed by an emotional reaction or a negative statement.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

‘Nanka’ often has a short pause after it when used as a filler word.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of ‘Nado’ as the professional ‘etc.’, ‘Nante’ as the emotional ‘I can’t believe…’, and ‘Nanka’ as the casual ‘something like/whatever’.

Other Grammar

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top