Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1
何の〜nan no ~
asking kind or contents
Use 「何の〜」 to ask what kind or contents a known thing has; answer by replacing 「何」 with the detail.
How it works
You can see it is soup, but do not know the ingredients. Use 「何の」 to ask what kind of soup it is.
「何の」 asks about something’s kind, content, or characteristics. The noun that follows determines the exact meaning.
「何の＋noun＋ですか」: keep the noun you already know and ask about the part you do not yet know.
Here, 「何」 is read 「なん」, not 「なに」. Together, 「何の」 is read 「なんの」.
To answer 「何のスープですか」, you can name the ingredient: 「トマトのスープです」.
In the answer, replace 「何」 with the specific information. Keep 「の」 and the noun that follows.
Remember to include 「の」. 「何の料理ですか」 asks what kind of dish this is.
Example sentences
- 何nanのno料理ryouriですdesuかka
What kind of dish is it?
- それsoreはwa何nan
In a conversation
- Aこれは何のスープですか。
A: What kind of soup is this?
- Bトマトのスープです。
B: It's tomato soup.
- A
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
What kind of soup is this?
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
これは パスタですか。
What kind of pasta is this?
More grammar in this theme
- 何の〜asking kind or contents