Structure
何 + Counter + か
いく + Counter + か
いくつか
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About なん + counter + か
The expression なん + counter + か in Japanese is a way of highlighting an uncertain number of something, and comes across similarly to 'some', 'several', or 'a few' in English. Literally, the meaning is much closer to 'what + counter + I wonder?', as it shows the speaker's uncertainty about the number.
- そこには何回か行ったことがあると思う。I think I have been there several times.
- ごめん、紙を何枚かちょうだい。Sorry, may I have some paper?
- この車はいくらですか?How much is this car?
- マリちゃんは幾つになったの?How old did Mari-chan turn?
Caution
Despite having the same kanji as 何, なん will almost always be used to count things, while なに will be used to identify things.- いらない本を何冊か妹にあげた。I gave several books that I didn't need to my sister.
- お前は何者だ!Who are you! (What kind of person are you)
Examples
選手の何人かが負傷した。
Some athletes were wounded.
いく人か is also acceptable.
何冊かの本が山のように床に積まれていた。
Some books were piled on the floor like a mountain.
何本かの高級な木の幹を製材所に届けた。
I sent some high grade tree trunks to the sawmill.
彼は何匹かの猫を撫でるように命じられた。
He was ordered to pet several cats.
彼らの写真を何枚か撮れてよかった。
I am glad that I was able to take a few photos of them.
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なん + counter + か – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
CrisH
I’d like to know as well - it doesn’t allow いく in
なんさつかの本は山のように床に積まれていた。
but I can’t tell why not.Manab
I’m a little confused. I have found some sites saying thay these counter expressions can’t follow が because they don’t work like nouns.
For example:
このアニメの何話かを見たと思う
Shouldn’t it be このアニメを何話か見たと思う or このアニメの何話か見たと思う without を at all?
Daru
Hey guys!
@CrisH
I’m guessing you’re trying to answer いくさつか?It’s because of nuance.なん is almost always used to count, whereas いく is more often used in set expressions. It’s not wrong in the sense that its ungrammatical, it’s just so uncommon you’d probably make heads turn.
You’re much better off just using the set expressions (いくら、いくつ…) when it contextually makes the most sense to.
@Manab
Could you link me to the site? I w...
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