Japanese grammar
What does ～というか～というか mean? Japanese grammar N1
～というか～というか means or rather; whether you say… or… (hesitant phrasing).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 語・普通形 + というか + 語・普通形 + というか |
| Romaji | toiuka toiuka |
| Meaning | or rather; whether you say… or… (hesitant phrasing) |
Forming it
| Noun | 趣味 + というか + 仕事 + というか |
|---|---|
| Adjective | 無礼 + というか + 率直 + というか |
How to use it
States two expressions, neither of which quite fits, then settles on a general remark. Colloquial.
- 「～というか～というか」 states two ways of calling/describing something, neither of which is quite right, then settles on a remark (often starting with 「とにかく」).
- Shows the speaker's HESITATION in how to phrase it, not a listing of two separate things.
- Colloquial; often used when commenting on someone's personality/impression.
Examples
彼は無礼というか率直というか、とにかくはっきり言う人だ。
Call him rude or call him blunt — anyway, he says things straight.
この味は甘いというか苦いというか、不思議な感じだ。
This taste is sweet, or maybe bitter — it’s a strange sensation.
Keep in mind
- Usually ends with 「とにかく～」.
- The two clauses are two WAYS OF DESCRIBING the same thing.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong朝ご飯はパンというかご飯というか、食べます。
For breakfast I eat bread or rice.
Correct朝ご飯はパンかご飯を食べます。
「というか」 states two ways of DESCRIBING the same thing (hesitation in phrasing), not a choice between two dishes.
-
Wrong彼は親切というか。
You could say he's kind, or you could say he's meddlesome — either way, he's always poking into others' affairs.
Correct彼は親切というかお節介というか、よく世話を焼く。
This pattern must come in a PAIR with a concluding clause after.
Exam tips
- 「というか～というか」 = hesitating between two ways of describing the SAME thing; often concludes with 「とにかく」.