何なんたる

pre-noun adjectival

what a ...!; how ...!

Pre-noun adjectival used in exclamations to express strong surprise, anger, or admiration. Followed by a noun or noun phrase. Often translated as 'what (a) ...' or 'how ...'.

• 何なんたる幸こう運うんだ！

  What luck!

• 何なんたる無ぶ礼れいな態たい度どだろう。

  What rude behavior!

expression

what ... is like; the nature of ...

Used in the pattern 〜の何たるか to ask or explain what something truly is, its essence or nature. Often found in formal or philosophical contexts.

• 愛あいの何なんたるかをまだ知しらない。

  I still don't know what love is.

• 彼かれは友ゆう情じょうの何なんたるかを教おしえてくれた。

  He taught me what friendship is all about.