When to use nani and when to use nanda?


As far as I understand, _nani_ and _nanda_ are roughly translated to "what" in
English, though they have other connotations and meanings. When do you have to
use one and when do you have to use the other?




"Nani" means "what"

Nani has a tricky pronunciation as for:

If it precedes any word that start with "t" "d" or "n" sound, nani becomes
"nan".

  * kore wa nan desu ka?. What is this?

  * kimi wa nani wo shiteimasu ka?. what are you doing?

And for "nan-da"; it is "nani" plus the short form of "desu", roughly meaning
"what is (text)?".

Notes for "da":

  1. "da" is a plain form, so it's for non-polite situations.

  2. "da" can never be followed by "ka" (interrogative particle), it is normally followed by other particles as "yo", "ne", or "to".




"Nani" means "what"

Nani has a tricky pronunciation as for:

If it precedes any word that start with "t" "d" or "n" sound, nani becomes
"nan".

  * kore wa nan desu ka?. What is this?

  * kimi wa nani wo shiteimasu ka?. what are you doing?

And for "nan-da"; it is "nani" plus the short form of "desu", roughly meaning
"what is (text)?".

Notes for "da":

  1. "da" is a plain form, so it's for non-polite situations.

  2. "da" can never be followed by "ka" (interrogative particle), it is normally followed by other particles as "yo", "ne", or "to".

