KANAKUMA

JLPT N5 · Reference, existence, and questions

何か／何も〜ない

Refers to something indefinite or to nothing

Meaning

Refers to something indefinite or to nothing.

Formation

  1. 何か means something or anything, also in questions and invitations: 何か食べますか, 何か食べませんか. が and を after it are often dropped but can stay
  2. 何も with a negative means nothing — 何も買いませんでした

When to use it

Core use
Refers to something indefinite or to nothing

Examples

14 sentences

  • 何かなにか食べたべたいです

    I want to eat something.

  • 何もなにも買いかいませんでした

    I did not buy anything.

  • 冷蔵庫れいぞうこに何かなにか飲み物のみものがありますか

    Is there anything to drink in the fridge?

  • 今朝けさは何もなにも食べないでたべないで来ましたきました

    I came here without eating anything this morning.

  • 何なにか温かいあたたかい物ものを飲みのみたいです

    I want something warm to drink.

  • 朝あさから何なにも食べたべていません

    I have not eaten anything since morning.

  • かばんの中なかに何なにかあります

    There is something in the bag.

  • この箱はこには何なにも入っはいっていません

    There is nothing in this box.

6 more examples

  • 何なにか質問しつもんがありますか

    Do you have any questions?

  • 今いまは何なにも欲しくほしくないです

    I do not want anything now.

  • 駅えきで何なにか買いかいましょう

    Let's buy something at the station.

  • 昨日きのうは何なにもしませんでした

    I did not do anything yesterday.

  • 外そとで何なにか音おとがします

    There is some sound outside.

  • 暗くてくらくて何なにも見えみえません

    It is dark and I cannot see anything.

Important notes

  • 何か means 'something' or 'anything' and works in statements, questions and invitations: 何か飲みますか, 何か食べませんか. が and を after it are often dropped.

Common mistakes

  • 'Nothing' is 何も with a negative: 何も買いませんでした. Do not answer 'nothing' with 何かありません.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

  1. 何なにか質問しつもんがありますか
  2. 昨日きのうは何なにもしませんでした
  3. 暗くてくらくて何なにも見えみえません

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