GRAMMAR
〜なんて
such as
things like, emphasis
Explanation
NOTE
〜なんて is a casual particle expressing surprise, disbelief, or strong emotion. It highlights something as unexpected or remarkable — either positively or negatively.
彼女が優勝したなんて、信じられない！
She won first place — I can't believe it!
Used here to express surprise or disbelief about an event that occurred.
NOTE
なんて can follow verbs in plain form or nouns. It often expresses that something is unbelievable, amazing, or outrageous — making it common in emotional reactions.
子供に嘘をつくなんて、ひどい。
Lying to a child — that's terrible.
Used to express criticism or strong emotion toward a specific action.
STRUCTURE
V普
なんてあんなに難しい試験に合格したなんて、すごい！
Anna ni muzukashii shiken ni goukaku shita nante, sugoi!
You passed such a difficult exam — amazing!
子供に嘘をつくなんて、ひどい。
Kodomo ni uso o tsuku nante, hidoi.
Lying to a child — that's terrible.
彼が来るなんて思わなかった。
Kare ga kuru nante omowanakatta.
I didn't think he would come — what a surprise.
STRUCTURE
N辞
なんて魔法なんて存在しない。
Mahou nante sonzai shinai.
A thing like magic doesn't exist.
奇跡なんてありえない、と思っていた。
Kiseki nante arienai, to omotte ita.
I used to think that something like a miracle was impossible.
運命なんてないと思う。
Unmei nante nai to omou.
I think something like fate doesn't exist.
Practice exercises
1
彼が遅刻したなんて、珍しいね。
He was late — that's unusual.
Answer
なんて
2
一日で全部終わったなんて、すごいね。
You finished it all in one day — that's amazing!
Answer
なんて
3
彼女が引っ越したなんて、全然知らなかった。
I had no idea she had moved — what a surprise.
Answer
なんて
4
幽霊なんて信じていない。
I don't believe in something like ghosts.
Answer
なんて
5
占いなんてあてにならない。
Something like fortune-telling can't be relied on.
Answer
なんて
6
宝くじなんて当たらないと思っていた。
I thought something like the lottery wouldn't hit.
Answer
なんて
7
あんなに高価な服なんて、一生着ないだろう。
I probably won't wear such a thing as that expensive piece of clothing in my life.
Answer
なんて
8
あんなに高価な時計をプレゼントされる何て、夢のようだ。
To be presented with such an expensive watch feels like a dream.
Answer
何て
9
あんな派手な服なんて、着られません。
I wouldn't be able to wear such gaudy clothes.
Answer
なんて
10
あんなに難しい試験に合格したなんて、本当にすごい！
You passed such a difficult exam — that's truly amazing!
Answer
なんて
11
長年信頼していた同僚に裏切られたなんて、言葉もない。
Being betrayed by a colleague I had trusted for years — of all things, I'm speechless.
Answer
なんて