Using nani / nan

[Pangur]

Is there a rule that explains when the final い is dropped from なに, if なに and なん both mean " what " ?

[Bueller_007]

Is there a rule that explains when the final い is dropped from なに, if なに and なん both mean " what " ?

When it's easier to pronounce なん, it's pronounced なん. Otherwise, it's pronounced なに.

[Pangur]

Is there a rule that explains when the final い is dropped from なに, if なに and なん both mean " what " ?

When it's easier to pronounce なん, it's pronounced なん. Otherwise, it's pronounced なに.

どうもありがとうございます Bueller_007 さん

[Tiduas]

Yeah, i am going on feeling with that one

[Bueller_007]

Basically two things would be that なに is not used before counters or です.

There's also a difference in meaning between the two that was mentioned elsewhere on the forum.

But all in all, when it's easier to pronounce なん, you just do.

[kirsten101]

According to my sensei...

you use "nan" when the next word starts with the 'ta', 'na', and 'da' group...

like "nan desuka" -- since desu is in the 'da' group..

You use "nani" on all the others.. ^__^