Translation guide
Asking about the type, category, or nature of something. Japanese uses different question words depending on whether you expect a specific name, a general category, or a description of characteristics.
You want to know the exact kind, brand, model, or name of something. Often used when there are known categories.
The most common and versatile way to ask 'what kind of ~'. It asks for characteristics, type, or nature. Can be used in most situations.
どんな音楽が好きですか。
What kind of music do you like?
それはどんな車ですか。
What kind of car is that?
Asks 'what kind of' in the sense of 'what ~ of' or 'what type of material/content'. Often used when asking about the substance, genre, or specific category name.
何の本を読んでいますか。
What kind of book are you reading? (What book?)
これは何の料理ですか。
What kind of dish is this? (What cuisine?)
Similar to どんな, but slightly more formal or emphatic. Asks for an explanation or definition of the type. Often used when you want a detailed description.
どういう意味ですか。
What kind of meaning is that? / What do you mean?
どういう仕事をしているんですか。
What kind of work do you do?
You want to know the nature, quality, or attributes of something, not necessarily its name or category.
Again, どんな is the go-to choice. It naturally asks for a description.
どんな人ですか。
What kind of person is he/she?
天気はどんな感じですか。
What's the weather like? (What kind of feeling is the weather?)
Formal equivalent of どんな. Used in writing, formal speech, or polite inquiries.
どのようなご用件ですか。
What kind of business do you have? (formal)
You want to ask 'What kind?' without a following noun, often in response to a statement.
Casual, short for どんなもの or どんなこと. Used in conversation.
A: 新しいカメラを買ったよ。B: どんなの？
A: I bought a new camera. B: What kind?
Polite way to ask 'What kind of thing is it?'
そのアプリはどんなものですか。
What kind of app is it?
どんな asks for characteristics or type in a broad sense. 何の asks for a specific category name or material. For example, どんな本？ expects an answer like 'interesting, long, about history'. 何の本？ expects 'a history book, a novel'.
どんな映画が好き？ → 怖い映画。
What kind of movies do you like? → Scary movies.
何の映画を見たの？ → ホラー映画。
What kind of movie did you watch? → A horror movie.
Do not try to translate 'what kind' word-for-word as 何種類 (how many kinds) or 何タイプ. Those mean 'how many types' or 'what type (as in blood type, personality type)', not the general 'what kind'.
✕ 何種類の音楽が好きですか。 (unnatural for 'what kind')
Intended: What kind of music do you like?