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
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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.
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.
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How to Write in Japanese - (何で) nande
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (何で) nande:
Example Sentences - (何で) nande
See below some example sentences:
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
Watashi no naisen bangou wa nan desu ka?
Qual é o meu número de ramal interno?
Qual é o meu número de extensão?
- 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) - expressão que significa "número de ramal" em japonês
- は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 何 (nani) - pronome interrogativo que significa "o quê" em japonês
- ですか (desu ka) - expressão que indica uma pergunta formal em japonês
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
Other Words of this Type: interrogative adverb
See other words from our dictionary that are also: interrogative adverb
