How do you know whether to use 'nani' or nan' in Japanese?

Question

I know what they mean, but what are the rules so you know when to use which one?

Answer 1

The general rule is that nan is used before "desu" or "da" (da is the impolite form of desu).

OR

Nani is used for asking an object of a verb.

Nani o tabemasu ka? What will you eat?

Nani o kaimashita ka? What did you buy?

Nani o shimasu ka? What well you do?

Examples:

kore wa nan desu ka (what is this)

you would NOT use nani in this situation

kore wa NANI desu ka is incorrect.

nani ga arimasu ka (what is there/what do you have)

in this situation you would NOT use NAN here

nan ga arimasu ka is incorrect.

This is a very general rule and of  course it can change.

Examples of nan

kore wa nan desu ka - what is this

sore wa nan desu ka - what is that

are wa nan desu ka - what is that over there

nan desu ka - what is it

nan ban desu ka - what number is it

nan da!? - what !?

THE ABOVE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT USE NANI

Example of nani

nani ga arimasu ka - what is there/what have you got

nani wo benkyou shite imasu ka - what do you study

nani wo haite imasu ka - what are you wearing

THE ABOVE EXAMPLES DO NOT USE NAN

This is as good as i can explain it all.

Good luck, and if you are ever uncertain whether to use nan or nani, email me.

Beau