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B1 noun Neutral 3 min read

〜といった

to itta ~to itta
Practice it

Overview

The Japanese phrase '〜といった' (to itta) is a versatile and common expression used for providing examples. It broadly translates to “such as,” “like,” “things like,” or “examples include.” It functions similarly to '〜など' (nado), but often carries a slightly more formal or definitive nuance, especially when used in written contexts or more structured speech.

Grammatical Structure:

'〜といった' typically follows a noun or a phrase that describes a category or type of item. The pattern is usually:

[Noun 1], [Noun 2], といった [Category Noun]

Or simply:

[Noun/Phrase] といった [Category Noun]

Sometimes, especially when listing more than two examples, 'など' might be used before 'といった' for added emphasis on the non-exhaustive nature of the list, though it's not strictly necessary.

Nuances and Usage:

  1. 1Listing Examples (Non-Exhaustive): This is its primary function. It's used to give a few representative examples of a larger group, implying that there are other similar items not explicitly mentioned.
  • Example: 彼はスポーツ、例えばサッカーやバスケットボールといった球技が得意だ。(Kare wa supōtsu, tatoeba sakkā ya basukettobōru to itta kyūgi ga得意 da.) - He's good at ball games such as soccer and basketball.
  1. 1Highlighting Characteristics or Types: It can also be used to categorize or describe something by giving examples of its characteristics or components.
  • Example: 読書や映画鑑賞といった趣味があります。(Dokusha ya eiga kanshō to itta shumi ga arimasu.) - I have hobbies like reading and watching movies.
  1. 1More Formal than '〜など': While '〜など' is very common and can be used in almost any situation, '〜といった' often feels a bit more structured or illustrative, making it suitable for explanations, reports, or slightly more formal conversations.
  • Consider a news report: 自然災害、例えば地震や津波といった災害が頻発しています。(Shizen saigai, tatoeba jishin ya tsunami to itta saigai ga hinpatsu shiteimasu.) - Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, are occurring frequently.
  1. 1Emphasizing a Representative Example: Sometimes, even with a single example, '〜といった' can be used to say “things like X” or “something along the lines of X,” implying X is a prime example of a broader concept.
  • Example: 健康に良いといった食品を探しています。(Kenkō ni yoi to itta shokuhin o sagashiteimasu.) - I'm looking for foods that are good for health, such as that (or things like that).

Comparison with '〜など':

  • 〜など (nado): Generally softer, more casual, and often used when listing a few examples without emphasizing the category as strongly. It directly means “and so on,” “etc.”
  • 例: りんごやみかんなど、果物が好きです。(Ringo ya mikan nado, kudamono ga suki desu.) - I like fruits like apples, oranges, etc.
  • 〜といった (to itta): Often used to clearly define or specify the type or category based on the given examples. It makes the examples feel a bit more integral to understanding the category.
  • 例: りんごやみかんといった果物が好きです。(Ringo ya mikan to itta kudamono ga suki desu.) - I like fruits such as apples and oranges.

In many situations, they are interchangeable, but '〜といった' often provides a slightly stronger sense of classification or clarification.

Examples

1

発表には、新しいインテルチップの製造、新しい電力管理機能の追加、新しいApple TVの発売といった、数多くのサプライズが含まれていた。

When listing multiple examples, use といった between the last example and the noun it modifies. The Japanese in this sentence is a bit unnatural, however, and is better with など。

The announcement included a number of surprises, such as the manufacturing of a new Intel chip, the addition of new power management features, and the release of a new Apple TV.

2

多くの国では、石油、石炭、天然ガスといった化石燃料を使い続けている。

Many countries continue to use fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas.

3

物理学、生物学、化学といった理系科目は、文系科目よりも難しいことが多い。

Science subjects like physics, biology, and chemistry are often more difficult than humanities subjects.

4

私たちは、肉、魚、卵といったタンパク質が豊富な食べ物を食べるべきだ。

We should eat protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, and eggs.

5

日本には、富士山、桜、お寺といった美しい景色がたくさんある。

Japan has many beautiful sights such as Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and temples.

Common Collocations

動物といった
果物といった
といった種類
といったもの

Often Confused With

〜といった vs など

'など' can be used more broadly, sometimes even without explicitly listing examples, and can also imply a larger category. '〜といった' specifically introduces examples and usually implies a selection from a larger group.

〜といった vs ような

'ような' often describes a characteristic or resemblance (e.g., 'like a dream'), while '〜といった' is for listing specific examples.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + といった + Noun (e.g., 動物といった生物 - creatures such as animals) Sentence/Phrase + といった + Noun (e.g., ピアノを弾くといった趣味 - hobbies such as playing the piano)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The particle '〜といった' literally means 'things like X' or 'X and so on.' It is attached directly after a noun or a noun phrase. When listing multiple examples, they are typically separated by commas or the particle 'や' (ya) or 'とか' (toka), followed by 'といった'. For example, 'リンゴやバナナといった果物' (ringo ya banana to itta kudamono - fruits like apples and bananas). It can also be used with a single example to imply a broader category, as in 'スポーツといった趣味' (supootsu to itta shumi - hobbies like sports). One key distinction is that 'といった' suggests a more illustrative set of examples, whereas 'など' (nado) can be more exhaustive or simply mean 'etc.' 'といった' often implies a qualitative similarity among the listed items that define a larger group. It is a polite and common way to provide clarity without being overly specific or exhaustive, making it an essential part of natural Japanese expression.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 'といった' interchangeably with 'など (nado)' in all situations. While both can mean 'such as,' 'といった' emphasizes *specific examples* from a broader category, often implying that these examples sufficiently illustrate the point without needing to list every single one. 'など' can be more general, simply indicating that there are other unmentioned items. Another mistake is incorrect placement. 'といった' typically follows a list of nouns or noun phrases. It should not be used to connect clauses or describe characteristics directly without examples preceding it. Finally, sometimes learners over-use 'といった' when a simpler particle like 'や (ya)' or just listing items would suffice, leading to unnatural-sounding sentences. Ensure the context truly benefits from the nuance of 'といった' – namely, providing illustrative examples.

Tips

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Usage Context: Listing Examples

'~といった' is primarily used to list examples of something, similar to 'such as' or 'like' in English. It often follows a noun or a phrase that describes a category, and then introduces specific instances within that category. For example, '果物といったもの (things like fruits)' would introduce specific fruits.

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Distinction from 'など' and 'とか'

While 'といった', 'など', and 'とか' all convey the idea of giving examples, there are subtle differences. 'といった' tends to imply a more representative or definitive list of examples, often leading to a general statement or conclusion about the category. 'など' (and its more casual equivalent 'とか') can be used for more casual or less comprehensive lists, implying there are other unmentioned examples.

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Formal vs. Informal

'といった' is generally considered more formal than 'とか'. It can be used in both written and spoken Japanese, but 'とか' is more common in casual conversation. In formal writing or speeches, 'といった' is often preferred for its slightly more refined tone.

Word Origin

200+ WORDS origin history.

Cultural Context

The Japanese phrase '〜といった' (to itta) is a versatile expression used to introduce examples or to generalize a group based on common characteristics. It often appears in contexts where one wants to provide illustrative examples without necessarily listing all possibilities. Culturally, this expression reflects a common communication style in Japanese that values indirectness and context. Instead of making definitive, all-encompassing statements, '〜といった' allows for a more nuanced approach, suggesting a category by presenting a few representative items. It's frequently used in both spoken and written Japanese, from casual conversations to formal presentations and academic writing, to clarify or elaborate on a preceding statement by giving concrete instances. It implies that the given examples are just a few among many similar ones, encouraging the listener or reader to infer the broader category.

Memory Tip

Think of 'といった' as 'to-itta,' which sounds like 'talked about.' You use it when you've 'talked about' or listed a few examples. So, 'such as' or 'like' makes sense. Imagine someone saying, 'I like things like (to-itta) apples and oranges.'

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

'〜といった' (to itta) is a Japanese grammatical expression used to list examples, and it means 'such as,' 'like,' or 'things like.' It's similar to '〜など' (nado) but often implies that the listed examples are representative or a good illustration of a broader category.

It is typically attached to a noun or a noun phrase. The structure is [Noun A], [Noun B], といった [Broader Category Noun]. For instance, 'リンゴやバナナといった果物' (ringo ya banana to itta kudamono) means 'fruits such as apples and bananas.' It signals that the items mentioned before it are examples of the category that follows.

Certainly! Here are a few examples: 1. 彼はサッカーや野球といったスポーツが好きです。(Kare wa sakkaa ya yakyuu to itta supootsu ga suki desu.) - He likes sports such as soccer and baseball. 2. チョコレートやケーキといった甘いものが大好きです。(Chokorēto ya kēki to itta amai mono ga daisuki desu.) - I love sweets like chocolate and cake. 3. 日本には東京や大阪といった大都市があります。(Nihon ni wa Tōkyō ya Ōsaka to itta daitoshi ga arimasu.) - In Japan, there are big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.

Both '〜といった' and '〜など' (nado) are used to list examples. However, '〜といった' often carries a nuance of providing examples that are particularly representative or illustrative of a group, sometimes with a slightly more formal or explanatory tone. '〜など' is a more general and casual way to say 'and so on' or 'and others,' without necessarily highlighting the representative nature of the examples as strongly as '〜といった' can.

Test Yourself

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彼女はテニスや水泳（　　　）スポーツが得意です。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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日本には、寿司や刺身（　　　）おいしい食べ物がたくさんあります。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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彼は、英語やフランス語（　　　）複数の言語を話せます。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Score: /3

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