pronoun

  1. what.
  2. you-know-what, that thing.
  3. whatsit, whachamacallit, what's-his-name, what's-her-name.

noun

Colloquialism, usually written with kana alone. Esp. ナニ.
  1. penis, (one's) thing, dick.

adverb

With neg. sentence.
  1. (not) at all, (not) in the slightest.

interjection

  1. what?, huh?. Indicates surprise.
  2. hey!, come on!. Indicates anger or irritability.
  3. oh, no (it's fine), why (it's nothing), oh (certainly not). Used to dismiss someone's worries, concerns, etc..

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
なに
 
 
ナニ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

what
なに なん カ (2nd, N5)
human radical (no. 9)
can, passable, mustn't
カ コク -べ.き (5th)
street, ward, town
チョウ テイ チン (3rd, N1)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)