Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "What" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "what", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
何曜日
なんようび (nanyoubi)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
どんな
どんな (donna)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "what" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 何曜日 and どんな.
In Japanese, 何曜日 (なんようび (nanyoubi)) is typically associated with "what day of the week?" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used to ask about the day of the week. Example: 今日は何曜日ですか.
On the other hand, どんな (どんな (donna)) maps to "What kind of; What sort of." (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used to ask about the nature, type, or characteristics of something. Always precedes a noun.. A literal translation of "what" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "何曜日"
今日は何曜日ですか。
What day of the week is today?
Bilingual Context for "どんな"
どんな食べ物が好きですか。
What kind of food do you like?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日は ＿＿＿ ですか。" (Meaning: "What day of the week is today?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "何曜日" fits here because it means "what day of the week?" in the context of: "What day of the week is today?". "どんな" represents "What kind of; What sort of.".