JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

なんか / なんて / など (nanka / nante / nado)

～なんか／～なんて／～など — “things like ～” and belittling

In short · Attached to a noun (or a clause), these give an example (“things like ～”) or show that the speaker thinks lightly of it (“something like ～ is nothing”). なんて can also express surprise at a fact. なんか and なんて are casual; など is more formal.

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Pattern

名詞＋なんか／なんて／など noun + なんか: “things like ～,” often belittling
普通形（動詞・形容詞）＋なんて plain form + なんて: surprise or disbelief (“to think that ～”)

Looking down on something

Added to a noun, as in 運動なんて or 宿題なんか, it means “something like that” or “it is nothing much.” It is usually followed by a negative expression such as 〜ない or 〜したくない.

Surprise with なんて

After a clause, as in 自分が一等を取るなんて, it expresses “to think that ～,” and is often followed by 信じられない or すごい. など does the same job in writing or formal speech. Avoid using なんか about the other person’s belongings or work, as it sounds rude.

Examples

運動（うんどう）なんて全然（ぜんぜん）したくない。

Undō nante zenzen shitakunai.

I don't want to exercise at all.

なんて after a noun shows a dismissive feeling.
宿題（しゅくだい）なんか、明日（あした）やればいい。

Shukudai nanka, ashita yareba ii.

Homework and the like can just be done tomorrow.

なんか treats the homework as not very important.
まさか自分（じぶん）が一等（いっとう）を取（と）るなんて、信（しん）じられない。

Masaka jibun ga ittō o toru nante, shinjirarenai.

I can't believe that I of all people took first prize.

After a clause, なんて expresses surprise (“to think that ～”).

Common mistakes

なんか and なんて are casual. In reports or formal situations use など.
Using it about the listener or their things or work can sound disrespectful.

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