pronoun
you-know-what; whatsit; what's-his-name
Used as a placeholder when the speaker cannot recall or prefers not to say the actual word; covers both things and people.
あの、何、ほら、あれ取って。
Um, you know, that thing, pass it to me.
昨日、何さんに会ったよ。
Yesterday I met what's-his-name.
adverb
(not) at all; (not) in the slightest
Used with a negative predicate to emphasize a complete lack or absence; often in the pattern 何も〜ない or 何の〜もない.
何も問題はない。
There is no problem at all.
何の役にも立たない。
It's of no use whatsoever.
interjection
oh, no (it's fine); why (it's nothing)
Interjection used to dismiss someone's worries or concerns, often with a reassuring tone.
何、気にしないで。
Oh, don't worry about it.
Native Japanese interrogative word. The kanji 何 is a Chinese character adopted for its meaning 'what', but the reading なに is of native origin and not derived from Chinese.