Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "What" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "what", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
何年
なんねん (nannen)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
一体
いったい (ittai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "what" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 何年 and 一体.
In Japanese, 何年 (なんねん (nannen)) is typically associated with "what year? / how many years?" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Can mean 'what year?'.
On the other hand, 一体 (いったい (ittai)) maps to "(what/who/where/when/how) in the world; what on earth" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used as an intensifier with interrogative words. A literal translation of "what" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "何年"
日本に何年住んでいますか。
How many years have you lived in Japan?
Bilingual Context for "一体"
一体何があったのか、教えてください。
Please tell me what on earth happened.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "日本に ＿＿＿ 住んでいますか。" (Meaning: "How many years have you lived in Japan?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "何年" fits here because it means "what year? / how many years?" in the context of: "How many years have you lived in Japan?". "一体" represents "(what/who/where/when/how) in the world; what on earth".