Japanese Conversation · Level 26
90 words
Japanese word
なんか
Pronunciation
Romajinanka
Meaning
- adverbkind of
Example
なんか変です。na n ka hen de su
It's kind of strange.
More examples
今日はなんか疲れています。kyō wa na n ka tsuka re te i ma su
I feel kind of tired today.
Core concept
Signals an approximate instance or degree while leaving the exact person, thing, or quality unspecified.
Common phrases
なんか変na n ka hen
kind of strange
なんか嫌na n ka iya
kind of unpleasant
なんか違うna n ka chiga u
somehow different
Similar words
なんとなくnantonaku: In a vague way, without a clear reason or specific purpose.
ちょっとchotto: To a small degree, often with a casual tone.
少しsukoshi: To a small degree or amount.
Definition in Japanese
物事を具体的に言い切らず、漠然とした印象や程度を表す語。mono goto o gu tai teki ni i i ki ra zu baku zen to shi ta in shō ya tei do o arawa su go
Word origin
なんか (nanka) comes from 何か (nanika, "something") through colloquial shortening, and its vague sense extends to softening statements.
Usage tips
- In casual conversation, なんか (nanka) can also work as a filler before a new thought, as in なんかさ (nanka sa), so translating every occurrence as "kind of" can miss its discourse role.
Other meanings
- somethingparticle
- things likeparticle
- someone like ___particle