何 + か
Something, Nothing, Anything, Not anything, Some kind of, Not any kind of
Structure
何も + Phrase［ない］
Explanation
In Japanese, 何か and 何も correspond to 'something/anything' and 'nothing', respectively. The key distinction is that 何も must be paired with a negative verb form like ない or ありません, whereas 何か is used in positive statements and questions.
To form a sentence, place 何か or 何も directly before the verb or clause it modifies.
- 何か質問がありますか？Do you have any questions?
- 私は何も知りません。I don't know anything.
Caution
In casual conversation and some regional dialects, you will often hear shortened versions of these words. Common colloquial forms include なんにか, なんか, or なんにも, なんも.
Examples
なにか飲みますか？
Would you like something to drink?
私がなにか変なことを言いましたか？
Did I say something strange?
いいえ、なにも聞いていませんよ。
No, I haven't heard anything.
このお店でなにか買いたいものはありますか。
Is there anything you want to buy at this store?
考えたけど、なにも思い出せない。
I thought about it, but I can't remember anything.
彼女はノートになにか書いている。
She is writing something in her notebook.
疲れているから、なにもしたくないです。
Because I'm tired, I don't want to do anything.
あの映画はなにも面白くなかったよ。
There was nothing interesting about that movie.
部屋でなにか見つけましたか？
Did you find anything in the room?
子供の時、なにか趣味がありましたか。
Did you have any hobbies when you were a child?
「何か聞こえましたか？」
「ううん、なにも聞こえなかったよ。」
'Did you hear something?'
'No, I didn't hear anything.'
「何か燃えているにおいがする。」
「ほんと？私はなにも感じないけど。」
'It smells like something is burning.'
'Really? I don't smell anything.'