〜なんて: This word shows you are surprised. You might not believe something. Or you might not like it.

Dictionary

〜なんて

This word shows you are surprised. You might not believe something. Or you might not like it.

N3 KMT4CasualCompound ParticleMixedCasual Listing And BelittlingGrammar

Noun + なんてPrimary

Verb [plain form] + なんてPrimary

い-Adjective + なんて

な-Adjective + なんて

This word shows you are surprised. You might not believe something. Or you might not like it.

私なんて、とてもその大役は務まりません。

Someone like me could never handle such an important role.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceAbilityWork & Career Emotions & Psychology

彼が結婚したなんて、全然知らなかったよ。

I had no idea that he got married.

CasualPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships

ゲームなんて時間の無駄だと思っている親はまだ多い。

There are still many parents who think that things like video games are a waste of time.

NeutralProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeGames Family & Relationships

連絡もなしに来るなんて、非常識だ。

To come without even contacting me is inconsiderate.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeDaily Life

まさか、宝くじに当たったなんて！

No way! To think I actually won the lottery!

CasualPastAffirmativeSentence EndingEmphaticDaily Life Business & Finance

Imagine you open a box. You expect a toy car. But inside is a real puppy! That big surprise feeling is what 'nante' adds. It shows something is very different from what you thought. This can be good or bad.

This is different from 'nanka' and 'nado'. 'Nante' shows stronger feelings like surprise or dislike. 'Nanka' is more casual. It often makes nouns sound less important. 'Nado' is neutral. It is used for lists that are not complete.

Watch out: "~nante" is different from "nante~." The word order changes the meaning. "Nante utsukushii" means "How beautiful!" It shows you admire something. "Utsukushii nante" means "To think it's beautiful!" It shows you are surprised or do not believe it is beautiful.

Contrasts with(1)

〜とか

You use this when you list a few examples. It means '...and things like that'. You use it when you talk in a relaxed way.

More formal alternatives(1)

なんか

This word is like saying "um" or "you know" in English. It helps you pause or make your words sound softer. It shows you might be a little unsure.

Less formal alternatives(2)

〜とは

You use this when you are very surprised. It shows you did not expect something. It can be good or bad surprise.

〜は (topic)

は (wa) tells you what the sentence is about. It points to the main subject or idea.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

た形

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

〜だ / 〜だった

This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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Dictionary

〜なんて

This word shows you are surprised. You might not believe something. Or you might not like it.

N3 KMT4CasualCompound ParticleMixedCasual Listing And BelittlingGrammar

Noun + なんてPrimary

Verb [plain form] + なんてPrimary

い-Adjective + なんて

な-Adjective + なんて

This word shows you are surprised. You might not believe something. Or you might not like it.

私なんて、とてもその大役は務まりません。

Someone like me could never handle such an important role.

PoliteNon PastNegativeMid SentenceAbilityWork & Career Emotions & Psychology

彼が結婚したなんて、全然知らなかったよ。

I had no idea that he got married.

CasualPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships

ゲームなんて時間の無駄だと思っている親はまだ多い。

There are still many parents who think that things like video games are a waste of time.

NeutralProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeGames Family & Relationships

連絡もなしに来るなんて、非常識だ。

To come without even contacting me is inconsiderate.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeDaily Life

まさか、宝くじに当たったなんて！

No way! To think I actually won the lottery!

CasualPastAffirmativeSentence EndingEmphaticDaily Life Business & Finance

Contrasts with(1)

〜とか

You use this when you list a few examples. It means '...and things like that'. You use it when you talk in a relaxed way.

More formal alternatives(1)

なんか

This word is like saying "um" or "you know" in English. It helps you pause or make your words sound softer. It shows you might be a little unsure.

Less formal alternatives(2)

〜とは

You use this when you are very surprised. It shows you did not expect something. It can be good or bad surprise.

〜は (topic)

は (wa) tells you what the sentence is about. It points to the main subject or idea.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

た形

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

〜だ / 〜だった

This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜なんて

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Compare with4

Contrasts with(1)

More formal alternatives(1)

Less formal alternatives(2)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery

〜なんて

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Compare with4

Contrasts with(1)

More formal alternatives(1)

Less formal alternatives(2)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery