如何

Etymology 1

From Old Japanese, in turn from Proto-Japonic *i-ka. Appears in the Man'yōshū completed in 759 CE.

A surface analysis suggests a compound of い (i, uncertain element, likely the same い (i) prefix found in Old Japanese as an interrogative in いずれ (izure, “which”), いつ (itsu, “when”), etc.) +‎ か (ka, the question marker particle).

The kanji spelling is an example of jukujikun (熟字訓), using the corresponding Chinese term 如何 (rúhé, literally “like what”) for the spelling and the underlying Japanese root word for the reading.

Etymology 2

/ika ni ka/ → */ikanka/ → /ikanɡa/ → /ikaɡa/

Originally a phrase consisting of 如何 (ika, “what kind”) +‎ に (ni, adverbial particle) +‎ か (ka, question marker particle).^[2][1]

The uncontracted form ika ni ka appears in the Man'yōshū completed in 759 CE. The fully contracted form ikaga is first cited to the Kokin Wakashū of roughly 905 CE, with evidence of a partially contracted form ikanga in The Tale of the Heike of roughly 1330.^[2]

Etymology 3

/ika ni/ → /ikan/

Originally a phrase consisting of 如何 (ika, “what kind”) +‎ に (ni, adverbial particle),^[2][1] the normal adverbial form of adjective ika above.

The uncontracted form ika ni appears as an adverb in the Man'yōshū completed in 759 CE. The contracted form ikan is first cited to the early 1100s.^[2]

Etymology 4

See also

References