GRAMMAR
〜とか
such as ~
among other things
Explanation
NOTE
〜とか lists examples in a vague, non-exhaustive way — meaning things like, such as, or and/or. It implies there are other similar items not mentioned.
週末は映画とか音楽とかを楽しんでいる。
On weekends I enjoy things like movies and music.
Used here to list examples of activities you enjoy, implying there are others.
NOTE
とか is commonly used in casual spoken Japanese. It can list nouns or quote things that were said (following a verb in plain form).
辞めるとか言っていたけど、本当？
You were saying things like quitting — are you serious?
Used here to report hearsay or rumors in a vague or indirect way.
STRUCTURE
N辞
とかコーヒーとかお茶とか、何か飲む？
Koohii toka ocha toka, nanika nomu?
Do you want to drink something, like coffee or tea?
野球とかサッカーとかが好きだ。
Yakyuu toka sakkaa toka ga suki da.
I like things like baseball and soccer.
東京とか大阪とかに住んでみたい。
Toukyou toka Oosaka toka ni sunde mitai.
I'd like to try living in cities like Tokyo or Osaka.
STRUCTURE
V普
とか辞めるとか言っていたけど、本当？
Yameru toka itte ita kedo, hontou?
You were saying things like quitting — are you serious?
来月結婚するとか聞いたけど、知ってた？
Raigetsu kekkon suru toka kiita kedo, shitteta?
I heard something like they're getting married next month — did you know?
仕事を変えたいとか思ってる？
Shigoto o kaetai toka omotteru?
Are you thinking things like wanting to change jobs?
Practice exercises
1
野菜とか果物とか、毎日食べている。
I eat things like vegetables and fruit every day.
Answer
とか
2
犬とか猫とか、ペットが好きだ。
I like pets like dogs and cats.
Answer
とか
3
数学とか物理とかが苦手だ。
I'm bad at things like math and physics.
Answer
とか
4
留学したいとか言っていたけど、決めたの？
You were saying things like wanting to study abroad — have you decided?
Answer
とか
5
眠いとか言ってないで、早く起きよう。
Don't say things like you're sleepy — wake up quickly.
Answer
とか
6
寒いとか言わずに、散歩に行こう。
Without saying things like it's cold, let's go for a walk.
Answer
とか