What is the Kanji for 'What'? | 何

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'What', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'What' is 何.

kanji

何

Meaning

What

Reading

kunyomiなに

nani

なん

nan

Parts

亻Person (人)可Possible

Example Word

何の: which. The Japanese determiner '何の (どの)' is used to ask about or specify a particular item or choice from a group. It translates to 'which' in English and is commonly used when selecting or inquiring about something specific. For example: Which book do you want?「どの本が欲しいですか？」(どのほんがほしいですか？). Which train are you taking?「どの電車に乗りますか？」(どのでんしゃにのりますか？). It is important to note that '何の (どの)' is often followed by a noun, as in 'どの本 (どのほん) (which book)' or 'どの電車 (どのでんしゃ) (which train)'.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 何

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

radical

亻

Meaning

Person

Radical Form Of

人

kanji

可

Meaning

Possible

何 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

kanji

荷

Meaning

Baggage

Words Using 何

This kanji is used in 28 words:

word

何

Meaning

What

word

何時

Meaning

When

word

何処

Meaning

Where

word

何の

Meaning

Which

word

何故

Meaning

Why

word

何れ

Meaning

Which, Eventually

word

何方

Meaning

Where, Which

word

何か

Meaning

Something

word

何度

Meaning

How many times, What degree

word

如何に

Meaning

How

word

如何

Meaning

What, How

word

如何なる

Meaning

Any

word

何事

Meaning

Matter, Incident

word

何しろ

Meaning

Anyway

word

何とか

Meaning

Somehow

word

何より

Meaning

Best

word

何と

Meaning

What, How

word

何となく

Meaning

Somehow

word

何だか

Meaning

Somehow

word

何で

Meaning

Why

word

何て

Meaning

How

word

何千

Meaning

Thousands

word

何百

Meaning

Hundreds

word

何十

Meaning

Dozens

word

何者

Meaning

What, Who

word

何時頃

Meaning

When

word

何物

Meaning

Something

word

何遍

Meaning

Times, How many times

Kanji Related to 何 Through the Part 亻

These 91 kanji contain the part 亻 as well.

kanji

休

Meaning

Rest

kanji

体

Meaning

Body

kanji

夜

Meaning

Night

kanji

作

Meaning

Make

kanji

低

Meaning

Low

kanji

住

Meaning

Live

kanji

借

Meaning

Borrow, Rent

kanji

倍

Meaning

Double, Times

kanji

仕

Meaning

Serve

kanji

使

Meaning

Use

kanji

便

Meaning

Convenience

kanji

働

Meaning

Work

kanji

宿

Meaning

Lodging

kanji

付

Meaning

Attach

kanji

伝

Meaning

Transmit

kanji

倒

Meaning

Topple, Overthrow

kanji

億

Meaning

Hundred million

kanji

供

Meaning

Accompany, Offer

kanji

他

Meaning

Other

Radical Form Of

亻

kanji

値

Meaning

Value, Price

kanji

個

Meaning

Individual

kanji

代

Meaning

Substitute, Era

kanji

価

Meaning

Price

kanji

化

Meaning

Change

kanji

信

Meaning

Trust

kanji

保

Meaning

Preserve

kanji

備

Meaning

Equip, Provide

kanji

係

Meaning

Person in charge, Connection

kanji

任

Meaning

Duty, Responsibility

kanji

件

Meaning

Matter, Affair

kanji

位

Meaning

Rank

kanji

停

Meaning

Halt

kanji

仏

Meaning

Buddha

kanji

倫

Meaning

Principles, Ethics

kanji

依

Meaning

Reliant, Depend on

kanji

像

Meaning

Image, Statue

kanji

傷

Meaning

Wound, Injury

kanji

側

Meaning

Side

kanji

例

Meaning

Example

kanji

償

Meaning

Recompense, Reparation

kanji

儀

Meaning

Ceremony

kanji

似

Meaning

Resemble

kanji

修

Meaning

Discipline

kanji

伸

Meaning

Stretch

kanji

優

Meaning

Superior, Gentle

kanji

仲

Meaning

Relationship

kanji

侵

Meaning

Invade

kanji

健

Meaning

Healthy

kanji

仮

Meaning

Temporary

kanji

催

Meaning

Hold an event, Sponsor

kanji

促

Meaning

Urge, Press

kanji

債

Meaning

Debt

kanji

偉

Meaning

Great, Admirable

kanji

俗

Meaning

Vulgar, Popular

kanji

仰

Meaning

Look up

kanji

偶

Meaning

Couple, By chance

kanji

伺

Meaning

Inquire, Pay respects

kanji

俳

Meaning

Actor, Haiku

kanji

倣

Meaning

Emulate, Copy after

kanji

僕

Meaning

I, Me

kanji

僚

Meaning

Colleague, Official

kanji

偏

Meaning

Biased

kanji

倉

Meaning

Warehouse

kanji

佐

Meaning

Assist, Help

kanji

併

Meaning

Join, Put together

kanji

偽

Meaning

Falsify, Fake

kanji

僧

Meaning

Bonze, Buddhist priest

kanji

伐

Meaning

Fell, Cut down

kanji

俊

Meaning

Brilliant, Genius

kanji

傑

Meaning

Greatness, Outstanding person

kanji

傍

Meaning

Side, Nearby

kanji

倹

Meaning

Thrifty, Frugal

kanji

伏

Meaning

Prostrated

kanji

俵

Meaning

Sack

kanji

伴

Meaning

Accompany, Companion

kanji

俸

Meaning

Salary

kanji

侮

Meaning

Despise

kanji

但

Meaning

However, But

kanji

偵

Meaning

Spy

kanji

仙

Meaning

Hermit

kanji

伯

Meaning

Chief, Older sibling of parent

kanji

侍

Meaning

Attend to, Samurai

kanji

儒

Meaning

Confucianism, Confucian

kanji

佳

Meaning

Fine, Excellent

kanji

仁

Meaning

Benevolent, Humanity

kanji

侯

Meaning

Marquis, Feudal lord

kanji

伎

Meaning

Deed

kanji

傲

Meaning

Proud

kanji

侶

Meaning

Follower, Companion

kanji

僅

Meaning

A wee bit

kanji

俺

Meaning

Me, I

Kanji Related to 何 Through the Part 可

These 4 kanji contain the part 可 as well.

kanji

歌

Meaning

Song

kanji

河

Meaning

River

kanji

奇

Meaning

Strange, Unusual

kanji

苛

Meaning

Bullying

Learn the Kanji 何

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 何 mean?

何 means 'What'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.