GRAMMAR
〜か何か
or something
Explanation
NOTE
〜か何か means or something — used to vaguely suggest a noun and similar options.
飲み物か何か買ってきましょうか。
Shall I buy a drink or something?
Often used when offering or suggesting something without being too specific.
NOTE
It implies the speaker is not sure of the exact item, or wants to leave the option open.
NOTE
Attach か何か directly to a noun (お茶 → お茶か何か).
STRUCTURE
N辞
か<ruby>何<rt>なに</rt></ruby>かお茶か何か飲みますか。
Ocha ka nanika nomimasu ka.
Would you like to drink tea or something?
風邪か何かですか。
Kaze ka nanika desu ka.
Is it a cold or something?
映画か何か見に行こう。
Eiga ka nanika mi ni ikou.
Let's go see a movie or something.
Practice exercises
1
風邪と言うより、アレルギーか何かでしょう。
Rather than saying it's a cold, it's probably an allergy or something.
Answer
か何か
2
彼の発言は、皮肉か何かだったのだろうか。
Was his remark sarcasm or something?
Answer
か何か
3
彼は学者というか、専門家か何かだろう。
He's a scholar, or rather, an expert or something.
Answer
か何か
4
突然、変な音がして、幽霊か何かかと思った。
Suddenly, there was a strange sound, and I thought it was a ghost or something.
Answer
か何か
5
仕事もかまわず、ゲームか何かをしている。
Without caring about work, he's always playing a game or something.
Answer
か何か