Nanka?

Whilst on my travel in Japan this was the word I heard the most and I was wondering what it meant?

Thanks.

ummm...

"nanka" is a casual form of "nani ka," and means "anything" or "something."

Depending on the context, a shopkeeper might approach you as you browse through the merchandise and ask "Nanka o-sagashi desu ka?" (Are you looking for something?). Or if you are looking lost in front of a police station, a policeman might ask you "Nani ka arimashita ka?" (Something happened?) in the sense of "Can I help you with anything?" Or a friend might ask you "Nanka nomu?" (You wanna drink something?) "Nanka taberu?" (You want to eat something?) Also, in sentences other than questions, a friend of yours might say "Nanka tabetai" (I want to eat something) ir "Nanka nomitai" (I want to drink something.)

Also, "nan ka" or "nani ka" (not in questions) can mean "somewhat." So a friend of yours might say "Nanka gakkou ni ikitaku nai." (Somewhat I don't feel like going to school). I'd say young people use the word "nanka" in this "somewhat..." quite liberally.

Some people also might use it kind of like "umm" when they are trying to think of the right word to explain something. You might hear people say it when they are trying to speak to you in English and they can't think of the right word.

Ohhh, so you are talking about "nanka..." used completely alone then. Yes, some people do use it as "ummmm" or "you know...." kind of "filler" phrases in conversations :)