• 何なに — what
• 何人なんにん — how many people
• 何時なんじ — what time
• 何日なんにち — what day
• 何事なにごと — what happened / what matter
• 何回なんかい — how many times

One of the most frequently used kanji in everyday Japanese questions. Originally derived from 荷 (to carry), the meaning evolved to express uncertainty and inquiry.

何なんですか？
What is it?

何なにを食たべますか？
What will you eat?

何時なんじに会あいましょうか？
What time shall we meet?

This kanji is usually read as “nani” or “nan”, depending on the word. It’s rarely used with its on-yomi reading. For example, in phrases like “nan-nin” (how many people) or “nani wo tabemasu ka” (what will you eat), the pronunciation changes slightly — but the meaning stays the same.