When a particular Kanji sounds "nan" and when "nani"...

S

Sirius

後輩

15 Dec 2003

17

0

• 16 Dec 2003

• #1

Hello.

A real beginner's doubt....!!!!

I will be thankful if someone could clarify it.

In these two interrogative sentences:

1. O-shigoto wa nan desuka?
2. Soko ni nani ga arimasuka?

If we present this in Kanji/Kana, we would see that in the two there is used the same Kanji for "nan" and "nani".

When reading a not romanized text... how do I know that the Kanji is read "nan" or "nani"?

Regards.

 

Elizabeth

先輩

22 Apr 2003

9,839

135

• 16 Dec 2003

• #2

There are exceptions of course, but at a beginners level it might be best to start off thinking of "nan" when used with desu, da or with compounds (nannin, nannichi etc) and "nani" as coming before particles such as wo, ga, mo or ka.

 

S

Sirius

後輩

15 Dec 2003

17

0

• 16 Dec 2003

• Thread starter
• #3

Thank you Elizabeth!!!

 

A

Arashi

先輩

4 Nov 2003

35

1

• 18 Dec 2003

• #4

Before any "t" sound (nante yomundesu ka?); "d" sounds are just modified "t" sounds, so they count too."ji" (as in, ima wa nanji?).

 

Elizabeth

先輩

22 Apr 2003

9,839

135

• 18 Dec 2003

• #5

Originally posted by Arashi
Before any "t" sound (nante yomundesu ka?); "d" sounds are just modified "t" sounds, so they count too."ji" (as in, ima wa nanji?).

Click to expand...

Yes, t, d or kanji compounds like "nanji."

 

nikki_the_insane

Ramen Lover :3

31 Oct 2003

405

2

• 19 Dec 2003

• #6

This is so confusing, I wish I just automatically knew the language, but only a wish.*sigh* Maybe when I go to college I'll learn it since my crappy high school doesn't offer it.