Translation guide
The English word 'anything' can be tricky because Japanese often uses different words depending on whether the sentence is positive, negative, or a question. This guide breaks it down by meaning and context.
Express that there is nothing or that you do not do something at all.
This is the standard way to say 'not ... anything'. The verb must be in the negative form.
何も見えません。
I can't see anything.
冷蔵庫に何もありません。
There isn't anything in the fridge.
Emphasizes 'not a single thing'. Stronger than 何も.
何一つ問題はありません。
There isn't anything wrong at all.
Ask if there is something, or offer an open choice.
Used in questions to mean 'anything' or 'something'. It implies an unspecified thing.
何か食べたいですか？
Do you want to eat anything?
何か質問はありますか？
Do you have any questions?
Means 'anything' in the sense of 'whatever' or 'no matter what'. Often used in offers or when giving a free choice.
Express that any thing is acceptable or that something applies to all things.
Used in positive statements to mean 'anything' or 'everything' in the sense of 'whatever'.
彼は何でも食べます。
He eats anything.
何でもできる。
I can do anything.
Literally 'any kind of thing', emphasizes that there are no limits on what is possible.
どんなことでも相談してください。
Please consult me about anything.
Express that if there is something, then something else happens.
Standard conditional phrase meaning 'if anything happens' or 'if there is anything'.
もし何かあれば、電話してください。
If anything happens, please call me.
Express that something is definitely not the case.
Means 'never' or 'not at all'. Used with a negative verb to express 'anything but'.
彼は決して愚かではない。
He is anything but stupid.
Means 'far from being ...' or 'anything but ...'. Attaches to nouns or adjectives.
彼は親切どころではない。
He is anything but kind.
In English, 'anything' is used in both questions and negatives, but in Japanese, 何か is only for questions or positive statements. For negatives, use 何も with a negative verb.
何か (nanika) means 'something' or 'anything' in questions, implying a specific but unknown thing. 何でも (nandemo) means 'anything' in the sense of 'whatever' or 'no matter what', often used in offers or general statements.
Please choose anything you like.