Word Meaning 何となく

なにとなく nanitonaku

何となく is read as なにとなく (nanitonaku) and means somehow or other.

Meaning

English

  1. somehow or other
  2. for some reason or another
  3. without knowing why

Reading

Kana

なにとなく

Romaji

nanitonaku

Writing Variants

  • 何となく なんとなく nantonaku
  • 何と無く なにとなく nani to naku
  • 何と無く なんとなく nan to naku

Stroke Sequence

4 Characters • 14 Total Strokes

Study Signals and Categories

JLPT N5 Jōyō Grade 2 Kanken 9級 Rank 5936 Priority A

Related Vocabulary

Max. 12

何気無く

なにげなく

unintentionally

何か

なにか

(so) what (are you trying to say)?

なに

what

何ら

なにら

what kind of

何人

なにびと

anyone

何とか

なんとか

somehow

何十

なんじゅう

(several) tens

何より

なにより

above anything else

何でも

なんでも

I am told

何時でも

いつでも

(at) any time

何と

なんと

oh my

Example Sentences

8

It looks like rain.

I sort of understand.

His dress somehow gives an aristocratic impression.

I feel somewhat uneasy when I sit on a chair with Japanese clothes. I feel like the wind is blowing in from the cuff of my trousers.

I feel somewhat uneasy when I sit on a chair with Japanese clothes. I feel like the wind is blowing in from the cuff of my trousers.

I had not once thought about going into the sea since I came here, but at this moment, for some reason, I wanted to remove my clothes.

I had not once thought about going into the sea since I came here, but at this moment, for some reason, I wanted to remove my clothes.

There are two contradicting emotions within the human heart. Needless to say, there isn't a person who doesn't feel empathy towards other's misfortunes. However, when you see a person finally able to overcome their misfortunes it is possible to feel a sense of dissatisfaction. To exaggerate a little, it leaves you with a sense that you want to see that person fall into the same misfortune again. Before you know it you unwillingly harbour a sense of hostility towards them.