Difference between 誰か and 何者か?


誰か and 何者か both mean "someone", however I never encountered the latter other
than in a novel. Is it a more literary word or is there another nuance ?




何者か meaning "someone" is not particularly literary, but it _is_ stiff and
formal, and typically used in criminal or military contexts. It usually refers
to an unidentified criminal, intruder, attacker, etc., who is considered
harmful. Obviously, ordinary people don't often get the chance to use 何者か in
everyday conversations.




何者か meaning "someone" is not particularly literary, but it _is_ stiff and
formal, and typically used in criminal or military contexts. It usually refers
to an unidentified criminal, intruder, attacker, etc., who is considered
harmful. Obviously, ordinary people don't often get the chance to use 何者か in
everyday conversations.

