How to Say ‘What is it?’ in Japanese
何かしら。
nani kashira
[nani kashira]
🇯🇵 In Japan: かしら sounds softer and more refined than a plain question, and is especially associated with women, often older women. Here it can fit a mother-in-law's voice naturally.
Phrase Breakdown
何
nani
[nani]
What
An interrogative used to ask about information.
何かしらがテーブルにあった。
There was something on the table.
かしら
kashira
[kashira]
wonder
A suffix implying uncertainty or curiosity.
それは何かしら？
I wonder what that is?
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