Translation and Meaning of: 何て - nante

The Japanese word 何て (なんて) is one of those expressions that frequently appears in everyday conversations but can cause confusion for those learning the language. Its meaning and use vary depending on the context, and it can express surprise, disdain, or even emphasis in a sentence. In this article, we will explore what 何て means, how it is used in the Japanese language, and some curiosities about its application in different situations.

If you've ever watched Japanese anime or dramas, you've probably heard this word being used in fast and expressive dialogues. Understanding its functioning helps not only to better comprehend spoken Japanese but also to communicate more naturally. Let's uncover everything from its origin to practical usage examples, all in a simple and straightforward manner.

Meaning and usage of 何て (なんて)

何て is a particle that can have different nuances depending on the context. In many cases, it carries a tone of surprise or disdain, as in phrases like "何て美しい！" (How beautiful!). Here, it intensifies the adjective, conveying admiration. On the other hand, in constructions like "彼の言ったことなんて気にしないで" (Don't worry about what he said), the word takes on a more derogatory tone, minimizing the importance of what was mentioned.

Another common use of 何て is in rhetorical or exclamatory questions, especially when the speaker wants to express disbelief. For example: "何てこと！" (What a thing!). In this case, the word helps convey a strong emotional reaction, whether of astonishment, indignation, or even happiness. It is precisely this versatility that makes 何て so prevalent in colloquial Japanese.

Origin and structure of 何て

The word 何て is formed by the kanji 何 (which means "what" or "which") followed by the particle て. This combination is not exclusive – it shares roots with other interrogative expressions, such as 何で (why) and 何と (in what way). The difference lies in the application: while 何で asks about reasons and 何と about methods, 何て usually appears in more emotional or exclamatory contexts.

It's interesting to note that, although it is written with kanji in some cases, 何て often appears in hiragana (なんて) in everyday language. This happens because its use is more common in speech than in formal writing, where other constructions may be preferred. This flexibility between kanji and hiragana is typical of various particles and colloquial expressions in Japanese.

Curiosities and tips for memorization

An effective way to fix the meaning of 何て is to associate it with memorable scenes from animes or dramas where it appears. Characters often use it in dramatic or comedic moments, which helps to imprint its emotional tone. Another tip is to practice with short everyday phrases, such as "何てこった！" (What a bummer!) or "何て可愛い！" (How cute!), to get accustomed to its variations in use.

It's important to remember that 何て should not be confused with similar words like 何で (nande) or 何と (nanto). While those have more specific functions (asking for reasons or ways, respectively), 何て is more related to reactions and emphasis. Paying attention to these details avoids common mistakes among Japanese learners.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 何と (nanto) - How; what; what (used to express surprise or admiration)
• なんて (nante) - How; what; what (used to belittle or express disbelief)
• なにて (nanite) - What; used in a context of questioning or doubt

何て

Romaji: nante
Kana: なんて
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: like what...!

Meaning in English: how...!;what...!

Definition: What: A word that refers to something. An interrogative word used to ask about something or a situation.

Example Sentences - (何て) nante

See below some example sentences:

このプレゼンテーションの主題は何ですか？

Kono purezentēshon no shudai wa nan desu ka?

What is the theme of this presentation?

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" in Japanese
• プレゼンテーション - Japanese word meaning "presentation"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or belonging
• 主題 - Japanese word meaning "theme" or "main subject"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 - Japanese word meaning "what"
• です - Japanese verb indicating "to be" or "estar" (polite form)
• か - particle in Japanese that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark in Japanese that indicates a question

この写真の焦点は何ですか？

Kono shashin no shōten wa nan desu ka?

What is the focus of this photo?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 写真 - noun meaning "photograph" or "image"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 焦点 - noun meaning "focal point" or "focus"
• は - particle indicating the theme or subject of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この名称は何ですか？

Kono meishou wa nan desu ka?

What is its name?

What is that name?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 名称 - noun that means "name" or "designation"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

この本のタイトルは何ですか？

Kono hon no taitoru wa nan desu ka?

What is the title of this book?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• タイトル - noun that means "title"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この言葉の意味は何ですか？

Kono kotoba no imi wa nan desu ka?

What is the meaning of this word?

What is the meaning of this word?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 言葉 - noun that means "word"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that "言葉" is the object of possession
• 意味 - noun meaning "significance"
• は - topic particle that indicates that "この言葉の意味" is the subject of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle that indicates that the sentence is a question

この製品の用途は何ですか？

Kono seihin no yōto wa nan desu ka?

What is the use of this product?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 製品 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 用途 - noun that means "use" or "application"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

この題名は何ですか？

Kono daima wa nan desu ka?

What is the title of this topic?

What is this title?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 題名 - noun that means "title" or "title name"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle indicating a question

この会議の趣旨は何ですか？

Kono kaigi no shushi wa nan desu ka?

What is the purpose of this meeting?

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 会議 - Noun meaning "meeting" or "conference"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 趣旨 - noun that means "purpose" or "objective"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この病気の症状は何ですか？

Kono byouki no shoujou wa nan desu ka?

What are the symptoms of this disease?

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 病気 - noun meaning "disease"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 症状 - noun meaning "symptom"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この地方の名物は何ですか？

Kono chihō no meibutsu wa nan desu ka?

What is the specialty of this region?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 地方 - noun meaning "region"
• の - Possession particle
• 名物 - noun that means "culinary specialty"
• は - Topic particle
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle