Translation and Meaning of: 何で - nande

The Japanese word "なんで" (nande) can be translated as "why" in English. This question is often used in daily life to express curiosity or inquiry about the reason or motive behind something. It is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, from formal situations to more casual conversations.

The expression "なんで" is formed by two components: 「なに」(nani), which means "what", and the particle 「で」(de), which is used to indicate means, method, or reason. Together, they form a word that seeks to understand the cause or reason for a particular situation. This construction is a good demonstration of how the Japanese combine different concepts to create new nuances of meaning.

In addition to "なんで", there is the alternative form "何で" (nande), where the first component is represented by the kanji 「何」 which also means "what". Both versions are used, but "なんで" in hiragana is more common in informal texts or when a lighter, everyday tone is desired. Meanwhile, "何で" tends to appear in more formal or written contexts, where the use of kanji is predominant.

It is interesting to note that in Japanese there are other words that convey the idea of questioning, such as "どうして" (doushite) and "なぜ" (naze). Although all these words can be translated as "why", each carries different nuances and is chosen according to the context and specific situation. However, "なんで" has a more direct and sometimes more casual connotation, making it the preferred choice for many people in their daily interactions.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• なんで (nande) - Because; generally used in informal contexts.
• どうして (dōshite) - Why; used in more formal situations or to express confusion.
• なにゆえ (naniyue) - Why; a more archaic or literary form.

何で

Romaji: nande
Kana: なんで
Type: interrogative adverb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Why?; what for?

Meaning in English: Why?;What for?

Definition: What: A word that expresses a question about what something is or in what condition it is.

Example Sentences - (何で) nande

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 - partícula em japonês que indica o tópico da frase
• 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 - partícula que indica posse ou relação entre duas palavras
• 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 the 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 the 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 the 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?

Qual é o título deste assunto?

O que é este título?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 題名 - substantivo que significa "título" ou "nome do título"
• 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 the 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 the 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