Translation and Meaning of: なんだかんだ - nandakanda

If you have ever watched an anime or Japanese drama, you have probably heard the expression なんだかんだ (nandakanda) at some point. This word is quite common in everyday Japan and has a meaning that can be a bit difficult to translate literally into English. In this article, we will explore what it means, how it originated, and in what situations Japanese people usually use it.

In addition to understanding the meaning of なんだかんだ, it is important to know its cultural context and how it fits into the Japanese language. Is it used more by young people or by older individuals? Are there any special nuances that differentiate it from other similar expressions? Let's answer these and other questions so that you can use this word confidently in your Japanese learning.

Meaning and translation of なんだかんだ

The expression なんだかんだ is used to summarize a situation that, in the end, turns out to be one way or another, despite possible doubts or complications. In Portuguese, we could translate it as "in the end," "one way or another," or even "after all." It carries the idea that, regardless of the details, the outcome is what matters.

A simple example would be someone saying: なんだかんだで、彼は来た (nandakanda de, kare wa kita), which means "In the end, he came." Here, the expression suggests that, despite there perhaps being doubts or obstacles, the final result was that the person showed up. This is one of the most common ways to use なんだかんだ in everyday life.

Origin and cultural use of なんだかんだ

The exact origin of なんだかんだ is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have arisen from the combination of two expressions: なんだ (nanda), a colloquial form of "what is it", and かんだ (kanda), an old variation of 言った (itta), which means "said". Together, they create an idea of "saying this and that", which has evolved to the current meaning of summarizing a situation.

In Japan, なんだかんだ is a quite informal expression used mainly in everyday conversations. It doesn't often appear in formal texts or speeches, but it is common in dialogues between friends, family, or close colleagues. Because it is colloquial, it's important to be careful when using it in situations that require more formality.

How to memorize and use なんだかんだ correctly

A good way to memorize なんだかんだ is to associate it with situations where something happens despite expectations or complications. Think of moments when you say "in the end, it worked out" or "it ended up happening anyway" - these are the ideal contexts to use this expression in Japanese.

It's worth noting that なんだかんだ often appears followed by で (de), forming なんだかんだで, which functions as a connector in the sentence. This construction is particularly useful when you want to explain that, despite everything, something happened. With time and practice, using this expression will become natural in your everyday Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• なんでも言え (nandemo ie) - You can say anything.
• いろいろ言われても (iroiro iwaretemo) - Even if they say various things.
• なんとなく (nantonaku) - For no specific reason, somehow.
• なんだかんだ言っても (nandakannda itte mo) - Even if they say this and that.
• なんとかなる (nantoka naru) - It will work out, it will be resolved.
• なんとかなるさ (nantoka naru sa) - It will work out somehow.

なんだかんだ

Romaji: nandakanda
Kana: なんだかんだ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: something or another

Meaning in English: something or other

Definition: Expression that includes a reason or excuse for something. Used to indicate the reason or excuse for a specific result or situation.