How to Say ‘What (object)?’ in Japanese
何を
nani o
[nah-nee oh]
💬 Usage Tip: [何を] is “what” + object marker [を]. It sets up “What do you (verb)?”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Questions with [何を] are common, but keep your tone light so it doesn’t feel like interrogation on a date.
Phrase Breakdown
何
nani
[nah-nee]
what
何（なに） means “what.” It’s very common in questions on dates (preferences, hobbies, food).
週末は何をしますか。
What do you do on weekends?
を
o
[oh]
(object marker)
を marks what the action is done to: 何を作る = “make what?”
何を食べたいですか。
What do you want to eat?
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