何なんの

pre-noun adjectival

what; what kind of; what sort of

Pre-noun adjectival used to ask about the nature, type, or identity of something. Followed directly by a noun.

• これは何なんの本ほんですか。

  What kind of book is this?

• 何なんの用よう事じで来きたのですか。

  What business brings you here?

pre-noun adjectival

no ...; any

Used with a negative sentence to mean 'no ... at all' or 'not any'. Emphasizes the absence of something.

• 彼かれの話はなしには何なんの根こん拠きょもない。

  There is no basis at all for his story.

• 何なんの問もん題だいもありません。

  There aren't any problems.

pre-noun adjectival

adds emphasis to the preceding word

Used in the pattern ...のなんの to emphasize the preceding word, often in a dismissive or exaggerated way. Usually written in kana.

• 痛いたいのなんのって、もう立たてないよ。

  It hurts so much I can't even stand up.

• 彼かれは忙いそがしいのなんのと言いって、全ぜん然ぜん手伝てつだってくれない。

  He keeps saying he's busy and won't help at all.

interjection

no; not at all; oh (it's nothing)

Interjection used to dismiss someone's concerns, words, or thanks, implying 'it's nothing' or 'don't mention it'. Usually written in kana.

• 「手伝てつだってくれてありがとう。」「なんの、なんの。」

  "Thanks for helping." "Oh, it was nothing."

• 「大だい丈じょう夫ぶ？」「なんの、これくらい。」

  "Are you okay?" "No problem, this is nothing."