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You can see it is soup, but do not know the ingredients. Use 「何の」 to ask what kind of soup it is.

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Lesson notes · ≈ 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

  1. You can see it is soup, but do not know the ingredients. Use 「何の」 to ask what kind of soup it is.

    You can see it is soup, but do not know the ingredients. Use 「何の」 to ask what kind of soup it is.

  2. 「何の」 asks about something’s kind, content, or characteristics. The noun that follows determines the exact meaning.

    「何の」 asks about something’s kind, content, or characteristics. The noun that follows determines the exact meaning.

  3. 「何の＋noun＋ですか」: keep the noun you already know and ask about the part you do not yet know.

    「何の＋noun＋ですか」: keep the noun you already know and ask about the part you do not yet know.

  4. Here, 「何」 is read 「なん」, not 「なに」. Together, 「何の」 is read 「なんの」.

    Here, 「何」 is read 「なん」, not 「なに」. Together, 「何の」 is read 「なんの」.

  5. To answer 「何のスープですか」, you can name the ingredient: 「トマトのスープです」.

    To answer 「何のスープですか」, you can name the ingredient: 「トマトのスープです」.

  6. In the answer, replace 「何」 with the specific information. Keep 「の」 and the noun that follows.

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.

    Remember to include 「の」. 「何の料理ですか」 asks what kind of dish this is.

    • Example sentences

    • 何なんnanのno料理りょうりryouriですdesuかka

      What kind of dish is it?

    • それsoreはわwa何なんnanのnoスープすーぷsuupuですdesuか。かka

      What kind of soup is that?

    In a conversation

    • A
      これはわ何なんのスープすーぷですか。か

      A: What kind of soup is this?

    • B
      トマトとまとのスープすーぷです。です

      B: It's tomato soup.

    • A
      じゃあ、じゃあそのスープすーぷを1つひとつください。ください

      A: Then, I'll have one of that soup, please.

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      What kind of soup is this?

    4. 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

    • 〜はどこですかasking where something is
    • ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこplace words by distance
    • 〜は何階ですかasking which floor
    • 〜はいくらですかasking the price
    • この〜・その〜・あの〜which item by distance
    • 〜をくださいpolite request for an item
    • 何の〜asking kind or contents
    • どこの〜ask where from
    • 〜を〜くださいpolite request when ordering
    • 誰の〜ask who owns it
    Previous〜をくださいNextどこの〜

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