何となく
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Japanese[edit]
| Kanji in this term |
|---|
| 何 |
| なん Grade: 2 |
| kun’yomi |
| Alternative spelling |
|---|
| 何と無く |
Etymology[edit]
Compound of 何 (nan, “what”, combining form of nani) + と (to, adverbial particle) + なく (naku, adverbial form of ない nai, “not; without”).[1]
何と (nan to) is used to mean "somehow, somewhat, kinda":
- この間は何と寒いね。
- Kono aida wa nan to samui ne.
- It's been kinda cold this while, hasn't it.
The addition of the なく (naku) on the end serves to emphasize the vagueness: somehow or other, kinda sorta.