Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "How" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "how", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
いくつ
いくつ (ikutsu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
いかに
いかに (ikani)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "how" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between いくつ and いかに.
In Japanese, いくつ (いくつ (ikutsu)) is typically associated with "how many; how old" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used to ask 'how many' items or 'how old' a person is.
On the other hand, いかに (いかに (ikani)) maps to "how, in what way, how much, however much" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A formal adverb used to emphasize 'how much' or 'to what extent'. Often followed by か. A literal translation of "how" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "いくつ"
りんごがいくつありますか。 / お子さんはいくつですか。
How many apples are there? / How old is your child?
Bilingual Context for "いかに"
彼がいかに努力したか、みんなが知っています。
Everyone knows how much effort he put in.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "りんごが ＿＿＿ ありますか。 / お子さんは ＿＿＿ ですか。" (Meaning: "How many apples are there? / How old is your child?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いくつ" fits here because it means "how many; how old" in the context of: "How many apples are there? / How old is your child?". "いかに" represents "how, in what way, how much, however much".