何
What
| on’yomi | kun’yomi | Radicals |
|---|---|---|
| n/i | なに, なん | ｲ + 可 |
Meaning: What
This leader has a lip ring.
Wait, our leader has a lip ring? WHAT??
Think of our president (or your prime minister, or dictator, or whatever) and imagine this person appearing on television one morning with a big ol’ lip ring. Feel surprised by it. Just say “WHAT??” over and over again. You want to have the feeling of “what” in you when you imagine this – that’ll help you to remember this kanji’s meaning.
Reading
The on’yomi reading isn’t all that important. The kun’yomi reading is, however, so let’s look at that.
The leader with his lip ring is now eating some NAN (なん) and curry. It’s delicious, of course… but then he gets it caught on his lip ring, and tears half his lip off. He screams: “Nannnnn eeeeeeeeeehhh!!” (なに) in anger at the nan and curry.
Make this one vivid and scary. He’s eating the nan (that’s your なん), and then he screams at the nan but gets overwhelmed with pain (that’s the なに). Smell the nan (you’re there) and see the blood gushing out of his/her lip. It’s terrifying. How did the nan even catch on his lip ring anyways?
Vocabulary
Learn the meanings of these words before moving on (and the readings too, if you can).
a 何（なに）＝ What
- Meaning: Same meaning as the kanji. Also can be なん (ex. なんですか？). Usually this is when 何 is attached to something else (even です or ですか).
- Reading: The same as the reading you learned.
a 何人（なんにん）＝ How Many People
- Combo: 何 (what) + 人 (people)
- Meaning: When combined with something else, 何 can also mean “how many” (as you’ll see in future words too).
- Reading: Kun’yomi of the 何 and on’yomi of the 人.
a 何月（なんがつ）＝ What Month
- Combo: 何 (what) + 月 (month)
- Meaning: As in, what month is it? (I really often don’t know… that’s what happens when you don’t take time off, I suppose).
- Reading: Kun’yomi of the 何 and on’yomi of the 月
a 何日（なんにち）＝ How Many Days, What Day
- Combo: 何 (what) + 日 (days)
- Meaning: What day is it? How many days will it be? Those are the questions you can ask.
- Reading: Kun’yomi of the 何 and on’yomi of the 日… starting to notice a pattern with 何?
a 何年（なんねん）＝ What Year, How Many Years
- Combo: 何 (what) + 年 (year)
- Meaning: What year is it? How many years will it be?
- Reading: I think you know the drill by now with these.
a 何回（なんかい）＝ How Many Times
- Combo: 何 (what) + 回 (times)
- Meaning: How many times? Remember, 何 can mean “how many” when combined with something else.
- Reading: Another kun’yomi / on’yomi combination.
When you know everything, move on to the next kanji!