“What” in Japanese
Short answer
What in Japanese is “何” (nani). Full meaning: what; you-know-what, that thing; whatsit, whachamacallit, what's-his-name, what's-her-name.
Other ways to say “What” in Japanese
なあに
naani what; you-know-what, that thing; whatsit, whachamacallit, what's-his-name, what's-her-name
何々
naninani what; so-and-so, such and such, something (or other); what?, wait, hang on
え
e eh?, what?, oh?; yes, that's correct
何事
nanigoto what, what sort of thing; everything, anything; what (on earth)?, what's the meaning of this ...?, what's this ... all about?
ええっ
ee Eh?, What?, Come on!, Damn!
なぬ
nanu what; you-know-what, that thing; whatsit, whachamacallit, what's-his-name, what's-her-name
何たる
nantaru what (e.g. "what rudeness"); what (something) is like
あれ
are huh?, eh?, what?, oh, hey!, look!, listen!; help!
なぁに
naani what; you-know-what, that thing; whatsit, whachamacallit, what's-his-name, what's-her-name
なァに
naani what; you-know-what, that thing; whatsit, whachamacallit, what's-his-name, what's-her-name
ナアニ
naani what; you-know-what, that thing; whatsit, whachamacallit, what's-his-name, what's-her-name
Looking for the other direction? Search any Japanese word in the Nihoner lexicon, or practise what you have learned in the learning games.