Why and somehow
Core words, Stage 1chunk 46 of 55Adverbs: manner and certainty
Lets you ask why and admit you don't know why.
- nazewhy
- ittai(what, why) on earth
- nandakasomehow; kind of; for some reason
- nazekafor some reason
- nantonakusomehow; for no particular reason; vaguely
Mix-ups Nandaka, nazeka and nantonaku all mean 'somehow' and blur together.
naze
why
A firmer, more serious why than nande or doushite; common in speeches, news and heated questions.
In everyday chat, nande is the usual casual why and doushite the softer one.
naze damatteta no?
Why did you keep quiet about it?
なぜ黙ってたの?
naze damatte ita n desu ka?
Why didn't you say anything?
なぜ黙っていたんですか?
Written なぜRank #409 in 3,030 TV dramas
ittai
(what, why) on earth
Strengthens a question to show surprise, frustration or alarm.
Always paired with a question word like nani, doko, dare or doushite.
ittai nani ga atta no?
What on earth happened?
一体何があったの?
ittai nani ga atta n desu ka?
What on earth happened?
一体何があったんですか?
Written 一体 · いったいRank #819 in 3,030 TV dramas
nandaka
somehow; kind of; for some reason
Hedges a feeling you can't pin down; nandaka hen is 'something feels off'.
Close to nantonaku, which leans more toward 'for no particular reason'.
nandaka nemuku natte kita.
I'm kind of getting sleepy.
なんだか眠くなってきた。
nandaka nemuku natte kimashita.
I'm somehow getting sleepy.
なんだか眠くなってきました。
Written 何だか · なんだかRank #1462 in 3,030 TV dramas
nazeka
for some reason
Says something happens and you can't explain why; common when telling stories.
Nazeka is about an unexplained fact; nandaka is about a vague feeling.
nazeka kyou wa nemurenai.
For some reason I can't sleep tonight.
なぜか今日は眠れない。
nazeka kyou wa nemuremasen.
For some reason, I can't sleep tonight.
なぜか今日は眠れません。
Written なぜかRank #1893 in 3,030 TV dramas
nantonaku
somehow; for no particular reason; vaguely
For choices and feelings you can't explain; on its own it's a full answer to 'why?'.
Nantonaku wakaru, 'I sort of get it', is a common half-yes.
nantonaku, kyou wa soto ni detakunai.
I just don't feel like going out today.
なんとなく、今日は外に出たくない。
nantonaku, kyou wa soto ni detakunai n desu.
For some reason, I don't feel like going out today.
なんとなく、今日は外に出たくないんです。
Written 何となく · なんとなくRank #2554 in 3,030 TV dramas