JPEDLAB iconJPEDLAB
Save history

Create an account and play

Explore first, then save your progress whenever you are ready. No email address is required.

Start free
Read as articleCards
1/8

The customer has not chosen a gift yet. The shop assistant points to the sweets and gently makes a suggestion.

››

Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1

〜なんかどうですか~nanka dou desu ka

gentle suggestion

Use 「〜なんかどうですか」 to offer one possible choice and let the other person decide.

How it works

  1. The customer has not chosen a gift yet. The shop assistant points to the sweets and gently makes a suggestion.

    The customer has not chosen a gift yet. The shop assistant points to the sweets and gently makes a suggestion.

  2. Add 「なんかどうですか」 after the noun you want to recommend to ask what the other person thinks of it.

    Add 「なんかどうですか」 after the noun you want to recommend to ask what the other person thinks of it.

  3. 「なんか」 presents it as one possible option, leaving the other person room to choose.

    「なんか」 presents it as one possible option, leaving the other person room to choose.

  4. This is a gentle suggestion used in conversation, useful for everyday discussions such as choosing a gift.

    This is a gentle suggestion used in conversation, useful for everyday discussions such as choosing a gift.

  5. The examples suggest stationery and sweets. Here, 「なんか」 does not mean the speaker thinks poorly of them.

    The examples suggest stationery and sweets. Here, 「なんか」 does not mean the speaker thinks poorly of them.

Example sentences

  • そのsono国くにkuniのno習慣しゅうかんshuukanがga分からないなら、わからないなら、wakaranainara、文房ぶんぼうbunbou具ぐguなんかnankaどうdouですdesuか。ka。

    If you don't know the customs of that country, how about something like stationery?

  • 日本にっぽんnipponのnoお菓子おかしokashiなんかnankaどうdouですdesuかka

    How about something like Japanese sweets?

    • In a conversation

    • A
      先輩せんぱいへえのプレゼントぷれぜんとに、品ひんがある小物こものを探しさがしているんです。

      A: I'm looking for an elegant accessory as a gift for my senior.

    • B
      それなら、この伝統的でんとうてきな工芸品なこうげいひんなんかどうですか。

      B: In that case, how about something like this traditional craft?

    • A
      いいですね！ね落ちおち着いた色ついたいろで先輩せんぱいに合いあいそうです。

      A: That looks great! The calm color seems like it would suit my senior well.

    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

      How about some Japanese sweets or something?

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      先輩への贈り物なら、手軽に使える名入れのタオル____。

      How about something like a personalized towel that's easy to use for a gift to your senior?

    More grammar in this theme

    • 〜って何ですかask what something is
    • 〜というのは〜ですexplain what a term means
    • 〜と言われていますwidely reported saying
    • 〜のような〜something like; comparison
    • 〜かなI wonder if…
    • 〜ようかなconsidering whether to…
    • 〜なんかどうですかgentle suggestion
    • 〜がっていますshowing a feeling
    • 〜からですgiving a reason
    Previous〜ようかなNext〜がっています

    Keep practising

    Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
    See the whole course
    Intermediate 1
    Customs and Gifts