Japanese grammar
What does ～とか mean? Japanese grammar N4
～とか means ~ for example, things like ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N とか N とか V (plain form) とか V (plain form) とか |
| Romaji | ~ toka |
| Meaning | ~ for example, things like ~ |
Forming it
| Noun | N + とか + N + とか |
|---|---|
| Verb | V(plain form) + とか + V(plain form) + とか |
| Adjective | A(plain form) + とか + A(plain form) + とか |
How to use it
Listing a few representative examples in conversation, implying there are others as well.
- とか lists EXAMPLES, implying "and things like that": 「休みの日は本を読むとか映画を見るとかします」(on days off I read books, watch movies, that kind of thing).
- Different from と (a complete, exhaustive list) and や (representative examples but only for NOUNS). とか is more flexible than や because it can also attach after VERBS and ADJECTIVES.
- とか is SPOKEN language, fairly casual. In formal writing or a written exam, use や・など instead. This is why とか appears very often in the listening section of exams.
- Usually used at least twice for balance, but once is also fine when giving just one vague example: 「暇な時は音楽を聞くとかしています」.
Examples
休みの日は本を読むとか音楽を聞くとかします。
On days off I do things like reading books and listening to music.
朝はパンとかご飯とかを食べます。
In the morning I eat things like bread and rice.
この町は静かだとか安いだとか、いい所が多いです。
This town has many good points, such as being quiet and cheap.
Keep in mind
- The chain of とか usually ends with する or です: 「～とか～とかします」.
- とか is also used to soften a statement, reducing certainty: 「明日は雨とか言っていました」 (I heard something about rain tomorrow, or something like that).
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこれより、研究の方法とか結果とかについてご説明いたします。
Next, I will explain about the research method and results.
Correctこれより、研究の方法や結果などについてご説明いたします。
とか is casual SPOKEN language, but the sentence uses the formal humble expression ご説明いたします (only found in official reports/presentations) — the two nuances contradict each other in the same sentence. Formal writing/presentations must use や～など.
-
Wrong本を読むや映画を見るをします。
I do things like reading books and watching movies.
Correct本を読むとか映画を見るとかします。
や can only connect NOUNS; to list VERBS, とか must be used.
Exam tips
- The listening section often uses とか (conversation); the reading section often uses や・など (written language) — know both.