Japatan
Formation
- N + なんか
- N + なんて
- 普通形 + なんて（驚き・意外）
Explanation
Both are spoken forms with two uses. (1) After a noun, they look down on something, or are humble when used about yourself (私なんか). なんか can also give a casual example (How about tea or something?). (2) なんて after a full clause shows surprise or disbelief: I can't believe that ~. なんか is not used this way.
Examples
私なんか、まだまだ下手ですよ。
Someone like me is still not good at all.
疲れた時は、甘いものなんかどうですか。
When you're tired, how about something sweet?
宿題なんて、一時間で終わるよ。
Homework like that? I'll finish it in an hour.
あの静かな田中さんが歌手だったなんて、驚きました。
I was surprised to hear that quiet Tanaka-san was a singer.
Notes
Because it can sound dismissive, avoid it for superiors or the listener's things. In writing, use など instead.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1試験の前の日に朝まで遊ぶ（ ）、信じられない。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 なんて
I can't believe someone would play until morning the day before an exam. なんて after a clause shows surprise. ほど, こそ and さえ cannot express surprise in this position.
2A「料理が上手ですね。」
B「いえ、私の料理（ ）、母に比べたらまだまだです。」
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 なんか
Your cooking is great. / Oh no, my cooking is nothing compared to my mother's. なんか is humble here. しか needs a negative verb, and こそ and ほど do not fit the meaning.
3「なんて」の使い方が正しい文はどれですか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 一人で富士山に登ったなんて、すごいですね。
4 means: You climbed Mt. Fuji alone? That's amazing. It shows surprise, so it is correct. Sentence 1 needs ので, 2 needs たら, and 3 needs のは.
