How do I know when to use なん vs なに?
I get very confused between these two readings of 何. I know of なんじ when asking for time or なんさい when asking for an age. I've seen the sentence これはなんですか。But, I have also seen あなたはなにをたべますか。Is the different where it is in the sentence?

Thank you!

Question

How do I know when to use なん vs なに?
I get very confused between these two readings of 何. I know of なんじ when asking for time or なんさい when asking for an age. I've seen the sentence これはなんですか。But, I have also seen あなたはなにをたべますか。Is the different where it is in the sentence?

Thank you!

Answer

1) Before counter it's always なん   i.e.) 何時(なんじ)、何月(なんがつ)、何人(なんにん)、何円(なんえん)
2) Before particle, it's always なに  i.e.) なにが (What is) なにを (Do what) なにに (To what) なにで (With what)
    Except for の particle, it's always なん.

3) The rest... depends on the words and ender.
    ◯なんだ　×なにだ　"What?" (manly)
　◯なによ　×なんよ    "What?" (feminine)
　◯何様(なにさま)   ×何様(なんさま) "Who do you think you are?"
    ◯何人(なんびと)たりとも   ×何人(なにびと) たりとも　(Nobody)

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