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.
I can't see anything.
There isn't anything in the fridge.
Emphasizes 'not a single thing'. Stronger than 何も.
There isn't anything wrong at all.
Ask if there is something, or offer an open choice.
Express that any thing is acceptable or that something applies to all things.
Express that if there is something, then something else happens.
Standard conditional phrase meaning 'if anything happens' or 'if there is anything'.
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'.
He is anything but stupid.
Means 'far from being ...' or 'anything but ...'. Attaches to nouns or adjectives.
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.