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:

好きな食べ物は何ですか？

Sukina tabemono wa nanidesu ka?

What's your favourite food?

What is your favorite food?

• 好きな (suki na) - means "favorite"
• 食べ物 (tabemono) - means "food"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 (nani) - it means "what"
• ですか (desu ka) - a grammatical particle that indicates a polite question

私の内線番号は何ですか？

Watashi no naisen bangou wa nan desu ka?

What is my internal extension number?

What is my extension number?

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 内線番号 (naisen bangou) - The expression that means "extension number" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 (nani) - interrogative pronoun that means "what" in Japanese
• ですか (desu ka) - expression that indicates a formal question in Japanese

象徴するものは何ですか？

Shouchou suru mono wa nan desu ka?

What is the symbol?

• 象徴する - verb that means "symbolize"
• もの - noun that means "thing"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• ですか - particle that indicates a formal question