When you want to give a few examples without listing everything, you can use 「〜とか」. It's similar to saying "and so on" or "things like that" in English.
You just put 「とか」 after each item in your list. For instance, if you're talking about fruits and want to mention apples and bananas, you could say 「りんごとかバナナとか」.
It's a casual way to give examples, so you'll hear it a lot in everyday conversations.
Think of it as a way to keep your sentences from getting too long when you don't need to be super precise about every single item.
When you want to give a few examples without listing everything, you can use 「〜とか」. It’s a casual way to say “and so on” or “things like that.” Think of it as a relaxed way to include a few items and imply there are more.
For instance, if someone asks what you did today, you might say 「今日は買い物とか、映画を見に行ったとかしました。」 This means “Today, I went shopping, watched a movie, and so on.” It’s common in everyday conversations.
When you want to give a few examples without listing everything, とか (toka) is very useful. It’s a casual way to say “and so on” or “things like.”
For instance, if you're talking about things you like, you might say, 「週末は映画とか、ゲームとかします」(Shūmatsu wa eiga toka, gēmu toka shimasu - On weekends, I watch movies, play games, and so on). This implies you do those things among others.
It can also be used to suggest possibilities, like 「お昼ご飯、お寿司とかどうですか？」(Ohirugohan, osushi toka dō desu ka? - How about sushi or something for lunch?).
While similar to 「など (nado)」, 「とか (toka)」 is generally more conversational and less formal.
〜とか em 30 segundos
- casual listing
- gives examples
- means 'and so on'
§ What does とか mean and when do people use it?
The Japanese particle とか (toka) is super useful for sounding natural when you're listing examples. Think of it like saying "and so on," "or something like that," or "things like..." in English. It's much more casual than particles like 〜など (nado) or 〜などなど (nado nado), which also mean "and so on." You'll hear とか all the time in everyday conversations.
The main job of とか is to give a few examples without needing to list absolutely everything. It tells your listener, "Hey, these are just a couple of ideas, but there might be more." This makes your speech sound less formal and more conversational. Imagine you're talking about your favorite foods, and you say, "I like sushi, ramen, とか." It implies you like other Japanese foods too, but you're not going to list them all right now.
You can use とか with nouns, verbs, and even adjectives. It's quite versatile. When used with nouns, it directly follows the noun. For verbs and adjectives, it often follows the plain form (dictionary form for verbs, plain form for i-adjectives, and 〜だ for na-adjectives, though sometimes the 〜な is kept for flow).
- Japanese Word
- 〜とか (toka)
- Definition
- And so on; or something (used to list examples, more casual).
- CEFR Level
- B1
Here are a few ways とか gets used:
- Listing examples of items or things: This is its most common use. You're just giving a few representative items from a larger group.
- Listing examples of actions or activities: Similar to items, you can use とか to suggest a few activities without being exhaustive.
- Suggesting alternatives: Sometimes, it can imply "this or that or something similar."
- Adding a sense of vagueness or uncertainty: Because it's casual and not exhaustive, it can make a statement feel a bit softer or less definitive.
Let's look at some examples to make this clearer. Pay attention to how とか makes the sentence sound more natural and less like a formal list.
私は寿司とかラーメンが好きです。
Hint: "I like sushi, ramen, and things like that."
週末は映画を見に行くとか、友達と遊ぶとかしたいです。
Hint: "On the weekend, I want to go see a movie, hang out with friends, or something."
The key takeaway is that とか is your friend for natural, conversational Japanese when you're giving examples. It shows you're not trying to be exhaustive and keeps the flow of conversation light. Master this particle, and you'll sound a lot more like a native speaker!
§ Understanding 〜とか
The Japanese particle 〜とか (toka) is super useful. It's like saying "and so on," "things like that," or "or something" in English. It lets you give a few examples without needing to list absolutely everything. Think of it as a casual way to suggest options or list items without being exhaustive.
You'll often hear 〜とか in everyday conversations. It helps make your speech sound more natural and less formal. While there are other ways to list things (like 〜など or 〜や〜など), 〜とか generally has a more casual feel to it.
§ How to use it with nouns
When you're listing nouns, you just attach 〜とか directly after each noun you want to use as an example. You can list two, three, or even more items. The last 〜とか in the list implies that there are other similar things you could mention, but you're not going to.
- Structure with nouns
- Noun A とか Noun B とか
Here's an example:
週末は映画を観るとか、本を読むとかしたいな。
Translation hint: On the weekend, I want to watch movies or something, read books or something. (Implies other activities too)
カフェでコーヒーとかケーキとかどうですか？
Translation hint: How about coffee or something, cake or something at the cafe?
§ Using it with verbs and i-adjectives
You can also use 〜とか after the plain form of verbs and i-adjectives. This is a common way to suggest activities or states without being too specific.
- Structure with verbs/i-adjectives
- Verb (plain form) とか / I-adjective (plain form) とか
Let's look at some examples:
疲れた時は、ゆっくり休むとか、温かいお茶を飲むとかするといいよ。
Translation hint: When you're tired, it's good to rest slowly or something, drink warm tea or something.
この本は面白いとか、役に立つとか、良い評判が多いです。
Translation hint: This book has many good reviews, like it's interesting or something, or useful or something.
§ With na-adjectives and nouns acting as predicates
For na-adjectives and nouns when they are used as predicates (describing something or someone), you need to add 〜だ (da) before 〜とか. This is the plain form of the copula です (desu).
- Structure with na-adjectives/nouns as predicates
- Na-adjective + だ とか / Noun + だ とか
Here's how it works:
彼女は親切だとか、明るいだとか、良い噂しか聞かないね。
Translation hint: I only hear good rumors about her, like she's kind or something, or cheerful or something.
彼は学生だとか、会社員だとか、色々なうわさがある。
Translation hint: There are various rumors about him, like he's a student or something, or a company employee or something.
§ Common usages and nuances
Suggesting options: When you're trying to brainstorm ideas or suggest activities, 〜とか is perfect. It keeps things open-ended.
週末、公園に行くとか、買い物に行くとか、何かする？
Translation hint: On the weekend, are you doing anything like going to the park or something, or going shopping or something?
Giving vague reasons: Sometimes you don't want to give a precise reason, or you just don't have one. 〜とか can help here.
なんで遅れたの？ 電車が遅延したとかかな。
Translation hint: Why were you late? Maybe the train was delayed or something.
Asking for examples: You can also use it in questions to ask for examples.
最近、面白いことあった？ 旅行に行ったとか。
Translation hint: Has anything interesting happened recently? Like you went on a trip or something?
Using 〜とか effectively will make your Japanese sound much more natural and conversational. Practice it often!
§ What 'toka' (とか) means
The Japanese particle とか (toka) is super useful for listing examples without being too formal or exhaustive. Think of it as saying "and so on," "things like," or "or something." It's casual and implies there are other similar things you could mention, but you're just giving a few ideas.
- Meaning
- And so on; or something (used to list examples, more casual).
§ Everyday use of 'toka'
You'll hear とか all the time in everyday Japanese. It's perfect for when you want to give a few examples without needing to list absolutely everything. It keeps the conversation flowing and sounds natural.
週末は映画を観るとか、本を読むとかして過ごします。
Shūmatsu wa eiga o miru toka, hon o yomu toka shite sugoshimasu.
- Hint
- On weekends, I spend my time watching movies, reading books, or things like that.
Here, the speaker mentions movies and books, but implies they might do other relaxing activities too.
コーヒーとか、紅茶とか、何か飲み物いかがですか？
Kōhī toka, kōcha toka, nanika nomimono ikaga desu ka?
- Hint
- Would you like something to drink, like coffee or tea?
This is a polite way to offer drinks without listing every single option available. It suggests these as examples.
§ 'Toka' in work and school
Even in work or school settings, とか can pop up, especially in casual conversations among colleagues or classmates. It’s less formal than stating every point precisely.
- When discussing tasks:
資料作成とか、メールの返信とか、やることが山積みです。
Shiryō sakusei toka, mēru no henshin toka, yaru koto ga yamadzumi desu.
- Hint
- I have tons of things to do, like preparing documents, replying to emails, and so on.
Here, the speaker gives a couple of examples of their overwhelming workload.
- When suggesting activities at school:
放課後、図書館で勉強するとか、カフェに行くtoka、どう？
Hōkago, toshokan de benkyō suru toka, kafe ni iku toka, dō?
- Hint
- How about after school, we study at the library, or go to a cafe, or something?
This offers a couple of suggestions for after-school plans.
§ Hearing 'toka' in news and media
You might not hear とか in formal news reports, but in interviews, talk shows, or casual online articles, it's quite common. When people are speaking naturally, they use it to generalize or give examples.
- In an interview:
最近は健康に気を遣っていて、野菜を多く食べるとか、運動するとかしています。
Saikin wa kenkō ni ki o tsukatte ite, yasai o ōku taberu toka, undō suru toka shite imasu.
- Hint
- Lately, I've been taking care of my health by doing things like eating a lot of vegetables and exercising.
The speaker uses とか to illustrate their health habits without listing every single one.
- In a casual online review:
このお店は雰囲気がいいとか、料理がおいしいとか、良いところがたくさんあります。
Kono omise wa fun'iki ga ii toka, ryōri ga oishii toka, yoi tokoro ga takusan arimasu.
- Hint
- This shop has many good points, like the nice atmosphere, or the delicious food, and so on.
The reviewer highlights a couple of positive aspects, implying there are others.
§ Mistakes people make with this word
Let's talk about some common pitfalls when using 〜とか. This particle is handy, but it's easy to misuse if you're not careful. Avoiding these mistakes will make your Japanese sound much more natural.
- Mistake 1
- Using it in formal situations.
Remember, 〜とか is casual. It's great for talking with friends or family, but definitely not for business meetings, formal presentations, or when speaking to someone of higher status. If you use it formally, you might come across as rude or unpolished.
- Mistake 2
- Confusing it with a definitive 'and'.
〜とか isn't just a simple 'and'. It implies a non-exhaustive list of examples. If you want to say 'A and B' specifically, without implying there are other unmentioned items, you should use と (to) or や (ya).
りんごとかみかんとか、果物は何でも好きです。(Ringo toka mikan toka, kudamono wa nan demo suki desu.) - I like all kinds of fruit, like apples and oranges (among others).
りんごとみかんを買いました。(Ringo to mikan o kaimashita.) - I bought apples and oranges (only these two).
りんごやみかんを買いました。(Ringo ya mikan o kaimashita.) - I bought apples and oranges (among other things, but implying a small, specific list).
See the difference? 〜とか keeps things open-ended.
- Mistake 3
- Overusing it in a single sentence or conversation.
While useful, peppering every other sentence with 〜とか can make your speech sound repetitive or a bit juvenile. Variety is key! Use it when it genuinely fits the casual, illustrative nuance, but don't feel obligated to use it constantly.
- Mistake 4
- Not understanding its 'or something' nuance when asking questions.
When 〜とか is used in questions, it often softens the inquiry and can imply 'or something similar'. If you're asking for a very specific piece of information, using 〜とか might make your question sound vague.
何かすることとかある？ (Nani ka suru koto toka aru?) - Do you have anything to do, or something (like a plan)?
This question is casual and open-ended. If you want to ask 'Do you have something specific to do?', you might phrase it differently, or simply say することある？(Suru koto aru?).
- Mistake 5
- Placing it incorrectly in a sentence.
〜とか typically follows nouns, noun phrases, or sometimes verb/adjective plain forms. It generally comes after each item in your illustrative list. Make sure it's attached to the right part of your sentence to avoid confusion.
Correct: 映画を見に行くとか、家でゲームするとか。(Eiga o mi ni iku toka, ie de geemu suru toka.) - Like going to see a movie, or playing games at home.
Incorrect (example of common confusion): 映画とかを見に行く。(Eiga toka o mi ni iku.) - While technically understandable, it's less natural to attach 'toka' to 'eiga' when 'mi ni iku' is also part of the example phrase. It's better to list the activities themselves with 'toka'.
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you'll use 〜とか more accurately and sound more like a native speaker. Practice makes perfect, so try incorporating it into your casual conversations when appropriate!
§ What is 〜とか?
The Japanese particle 〜とか (toka) is a versatile and common way to list examples or indicate that there are other similar items without naming them all. Think of it like saying "and so on," "and things like that," or "or something" in English. It's generally more casual than some other similar expressions.
- Japanese Word
- 〜とか (particle)
- Definition
- And so on; or something (used to list examples, more casual).
- CEFR Level
- B1
§ How to Use 〜とか
You can use 〜とか after nouns, verbs (in plain form), or adjectives (plain form). It often appears after a few examples to suggest there are more, or after a single item to indicate it's just one possibility among others.
§ Examples with Nouns
週末は映画とか、買い物とかしました。
Shūmatsu wa eiga toka, kaimono toka shimashita.
(On the weekend, I watched movies and went shopping, and so on.)
コーヒーとかいかがですか？
Kōhī toka ikaga desu ka?
(How about some coffee or something?) - implying other drink options are available.
§ Examples with Verbs
ご飯を食べるとか、お風呂に入るとか、色々やることがある。
Gohan o taberu toka, ofuro ni hairu toka, iroiro yaru koto ga aru.
(I have various things to do, like eating dinner, taking a bath, and so on.)
§ Examples with Adjectives
この店は美味しいとか、安いとか、評判がいいね。
Kono mise wa oishii toka, yasui toka, hyōban ga ii ne.
(This restaurant has a good reputation, being delicious and cheap and so on.)
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
While 〜とか is very useful, Japanese has other ways to express similar ideas. Understanding the nuances will help you choose the best word for the situation.
- 〜など (nado): This is probably the most common alternative and is more formal than 〜とか. It also means "and so on," "etc.," or "such as." If you're writing a formal email, giving a presentation, or generally want to be polite, 〜など is usually the safer choice. 〜とか is for more casual conversations among friends or family.
会議では、予算、スケジュールなどについて話し合いました。
Kaigi de wa, yosan, sukejūru nado ni tsuite hanashiaimashita.
(At the meeting, we discussed budget, schedule, etc.)
Compare that to a casual version with 〜とか:
会議で予算とかスケジュールとか話したよ。
Kaigi de yosan toka sukejūru toka hanashita yo.
(At the meeting, we talked about budget and things like schedule.)
- 〜や (ya): This particle means "and" or "and/or" when listing examples, but it doesn't carry the same implication of "and so on" as 〜とか or 〜など. It simply lists a few items. It's less formal than 〜と (to - which means a comprehensive "and") but can be used in both casual and somewhat formal contexts for listing.
机の上に本やペンがあります。
Tsukue no ue ni hon ya pen ga arimasu.
(There are books and pens on the desk.)
With 〜や, you are explicitly listing items, implying these are the main ones you want to mention, not necessarily that there are many more. With 〜とか, you are explicitly saying "these are just some examples."
- 〜だの〜だの (dano dano): This is a more emphatic and often slightly exasperated way to list things, usually implying a complaint or that the speaker is annoyed by the number or type of things mentioned. It's quite informal and expresses a stronger nuance than 〜とか.
彼はいつも「疲れただの」「眠いだの」って言う。
Kare wa itsumo "tsukareta dano" "nemui dano" tte iu.
(He's always saying things like "I'm tired" and "I'm sleepy.")
§ Conclusion
Mastering 〜とか will significantly improve your casual Japanese conversation skills. It's a natural way to soften your statements and imply a broader scope without needing to list every single item. Practice using it with different parts of speech, and pay attention to how native speakers use it in various contexts to get a feel for its nuances.
How Formal Is It?
"会議では、新しいプロジェクトの計画などについて話し合われました。"
"週末は映画を見るとか、本を読むとかして過ごすことが多いです。"
"今日の夜、ご飯食べに行かない？ラーメンとか、お寿司とか。"
"おもちゃ、ブロックとか、お絵かきセットとか、いっぱいあるよ！"
"マジやばいんだけど、昨日さ、飲みすぎちゃってさ、記憶ないとか。"
Exemplos por nível
週末は何をしますか。映画を見るとか、ショッピングするとか。
What do you do on weekends? Watch movies, go shopping, and so on.
好きな食べ物は何ですか。ラーメンとか、寿司とか。
What are your favorite foods? Ramen, sushi, or something.
夏休みにどこに行きたいですか。沖縄とか、北海道とか。
Where do you want to go for summer vacation? Okinawa, Hokkaido, and so on.
趣味は何ですか。読書とか、ゲームとか。
What are your hobbies? Reading, games, or something.
友達と何を話しますか。学校のこととか、将来のこととか。
What do you talk about with your friends? Things about school, things about the future, and so on.
どんな音楽を聴きますか。J-POPとか、ロックとか。
What kind of music do you listen to? J-POP, rock, or something.
休日は何をしますか。家でゆっくりするとか、友達と会うとか。
What do you do on holidays? Relax at home, meet friends, and so on.
どんなスポーツが好きですか。サッカーとか、バスケとか。
What sports do you like? Soccer, basketball, or something.
週末は何するの？「あー、映画見るとか、友達とご飯食べるとか」
What are you doing this weekend? "Ah, I might watch a movie, or eat with friends, something like that."
日本のどこに行ってみたい？「京都とか、北海道とか、いいですね。」
Where in Japan do you want to visit? "Kyoto, Hokkaido, those kinds of places would be nice."
忙しい日は、お弁当とかコンビニで買っちゃう。
On busy days, I end up buying a bento or something at the convenience store.
趣味は何ですか？「読書とか、散歩とか、平凡なものばかりです。」
What are your hobbies? "Reading, walking, just ordinary things like that."
何か困っていることとかある？
Is there anything you're having trouble with or something?
ストレス解消法は？「音楽を聴くとか、運動するとかかな。」
How do you relieve stress? "Listening to music, exercising, things like that, I guess."
パーティーに何か持っていく？「ジュースとか、お菓子とかでいいかな？」
Should I bring anything to the party? "Is juice or snacks or something okay?"
彼はいつも遅刻するとか、約束を忘れるとか、困った人だ。
He's a troublesome person; he's always late, or forgets appointments, things like that.
週末は何をしますか？ 映画を見るとか、友達と会うとか。
What are you doing this weekend? Maybe watch a movie, or meet friends.
Here, 'とか' is used to provide a couple of examples of possible weekend activities without being exhaustive.
ストレス解消には、運動するとか、好きな音楽を聴くとかがいいですよ。
For stress relief, exercising, or listening to your favorite music, is good.
'とか' lists a few suggestions for stress relief, implying there could be other options.
将来は、海外で働いてみるとか、自分のビジネスを始めるとかを考えています。
In the future, I'm thinking about working abroad, or starting my own business.
The speaker uses 'とか' to mention a couple of ideas for their future career, suggesting these are just possibilities.
最近、健康のために何かしていますか？ ヨガを始めるとか、食事に気をつけるとか。
Have you been doing anything for your health recently? Like starting yoga, or being careful about your diet.
'とか' is used to give examples of health-related activities, inviting the listener to share their own.
このプロジェクトを成功させるには、新しいアイデアを出すとか、協力してくれる人を探すとかが必要だ。
To make this project successful, we need to come up with new ideas, or find people who will cooperate.
Here, 'とか' lists key actions needed for project success, implying a broader strategy.
旅行の準備、何から始めたらいいですか？ ホテルを予約するとか、航空券を買うとか。
For travel preparations, where should I start? Like booking a hotel, or buying plane tickets.
The speaker uses 'とか' to suggest initial steps for travel planning.
彼からのサプライズプレゼント、まさか指輪とか、ネックレスとかじゃないよね？
His surprise gift, it's not a ring, or a necklace, is it?
'とか' is used to list speculative examples of potential gifts, often in a playful or slightly anxious tone.
子供の教育には、本をたくさん読ませるとか、色々な場所に連れて行くとかが大切だと思います。
For children's education, I think it's important to have them read many books, or take them to various places.
The examples provided with 'とか' highlight different aspects of a good education.
週末は映画を見るとか、本を読むとかして過ごすのが好きです。
On weekends, I like to spend time watching movies or reading books, and so on.
彼とは仕事の話とか、家族のこととか、いろいろな話をするよ。
I talk about various things with him, like work, family matters, and so on.
旅行の準備で、パスポートとか、航空券とか、忘れ物がないか確認した。
For travel preparations, I checked if I forgot anything, like my passport, plane tickets, and so on.
今日の会議では、新しいプロジェクトの進捗とか、予算の話とかが主な議題だった。
In today's meeting, the main topics were things like the progress of the new project, budget discussions, and so on.
ストレス解消には、運動するとか、好きな音楽を聴くとか、自分なりの方法を見つけるのが大切だ。
To relieve stress, it's important to find your own methods, like exercising, listening to your favorite music, and so on.
将来のキャリアパスについて、海外で働くとか、独立するとか、いろいろな可能性を考えている。
Regarding my future career path, I'm considering various possibilities, like working overseas, becoming independent, and so on.
最近のテクノロジーは、AIとか、IoTとか、私たちの生活を大きく変えている。
Recent technologies, like AI, IoT, and so on, are greatly changing our lives.
料理は、食材の鮮度とか、味付けのバランスとか、細かいところに気を配ると美味しくなる。
Cooking becomes delicious if you pay attention to small details, like the freshness of ingredients, the balance of seasoning, and so on.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
週末は映画とか見ます。(Shuumatsu wa eiga toka mimasu.)
On weekends, I watch movies or something.
休日は公園とか散歩します。(Kyuujitsu wa kouen toka sanpo shimasu.)
On holidays, I take walks in parks or something.
何か食べたいものある？ラーメンとか。(Nanika tabetai mono aru? Ramen toka.)
Is there anything you want to eat? Like ramen or something?
宿題とか、もう終わった？(Shukudai toka, mou owatta?)
Homework and stuff, have you finished it already?
趣味は本を読むこととか、ゲームをすることです。(Shumi wa hon o yomu koto toka, geemu o suru koto desu.)
My hobbies are reading books or playing games.
コーヒーとか紅茶とか、何か飲みますか？(Koohii toka koucha toka, nanika nomimasu ka?)
Would you like coffee or tea or something to drink?
友達と話したりとか、一緒に遊んだりとかします。(Tomodachi to hanashitari toka, issho ni asondari toka shimasu.)
I talk with friends or play together with them.
旅行とか、どこか行きたい？(Ryokou toka, dokoka ikitai?)
For travel or something, is there somewhere you want to go?
このお店にはパンとかケーキとかあります。(Kono omise ni wa pan toka keeki toka arimasu.)
This shop has bread and cakes and so on.
彼はサッカーとか野球とか、スポーツが好きです。(Kare wa sakkaa toka yakyuu toka, supootsu ga suki desu.)
He likes sports like soccer or baseball.
Frequentemente confundido com
'〜や' is also used for listing examples but implies a more concrete or representative list. It's less casual and often suggests a more structured enumeration.
'〜など' (and so on) is more formal than '〜とか' and explicitly indicates that the list is not exhaustive. It often follows a more complete thought or list.
'〜たり' (do things like...) is used with verbs to list a few representative actions that are performed, often implying a repetition or a variety of activities. While similar in listing actions, '〜たり' focuses on the actions themselves, whereas '〜とか' can list both nouns and actions and often implies 'such as' or 'or something.'
Padrões gramaticais
Fácil de confundir
Learners often confuse '〜とか' with other listing particles like '〜や' or '〜など' because they all indicate examples. However, '〜とか' carries a more casual nuance and often implies an incomplete list or a 'such as' feeling.
While '〜や' lists a few representative items, and '〜など' explicitly means 'etc.' or 'and others,' '〜とか' is more conversational and can be used when you don't want to be exhaustive or are just brainstorming. It sometimes implies a degree of vagueness or 'things like that.'
週末は映画見るとか、友達とご飯食べるとか、色々したいなあ。 (This weekend, I want to do various things, like watch a movie or eat with friends, you know, things like that.)
It can be confusing when '〜とか' is used to suggest possibilities or options, especially when paired with a verb.
In this usage, '〜とか' acts like 'or something' or 'how about...'. It's a casual way to propose an idea without being forceful. It's different from simply listing things; here, it's about suggesting an action or item.
今日はお寿司とかどう？ (How about sushi today? / Sushi or something like that?)
Sometimes learners misunderstand its use when it's just indicating general examples in a statement, thinking it's always a question or suggestion.
It's simply enumerating examples without a strong suggestion or question. It's more like saying 'things like...' or 'such as...' in a conversational tone.
最近、日本語の勉強とか、仕事とか、忙しいんだ。 (Recently, I've been busy with things like studying Japanese and work.)
The repetitious use of '〜とか〜とか' can sometimes be hard to grasp, as it emphasizes the non-exhaustive nature of the list.
When repeated, it strongly emphasizes the idea of 'this and that, or things like them.' It highlights the variety or a more scattered set of examples.
休みの日は、ゲームするとか、本読むとか、家でゴロゴロしてる。 (On days off, I do things like play games, or read books, just lazing around at home.)
Its casualness can lead to confusion about when it's appropriate to use, as overuse in formal contexts would sound odd.
This particle is decidedly informal. While '〜や' and '〜など' can be used in both formal and informal settings, '〜とか' is best reserved for casual conversations. Using it in a business meeting, for example, would be inappropriate.
（友達との会話）週末、何する予定？映画見るとか、カラオケ行くとか？ ((Conversation with a friend) What are your plans for the weekend? Like, see a movie, or go to karaoke?)
Padrões de frases
Noun + とか + Noun + とか + する/です
週末は映画を観るとか、友達と会うとかします。 (On the weekend, I watch movies, meet friends, and so on.)
Verb (dictionary form) + とか + Verb (dictionary form) + とか + する/です
休みの日は本を読むとか、ゲームをするとかして過ごします。 (On days off, I spend time reading books, playing games, or something like that.)
Adjective (い-adjective) + とか + Adjective (い-adjective) + とか + です
この店は安くて美味しいとか、サービスが良いとか評判です。 (This shop is famous for being cheap and delicious, or having good service, and so on.)
Adjective (な-adjective) + とか + Adjective (な-adjective) + とか + です
あの人は親切とか、明るいとか言われています。 (That person is said to be kind, cheerful, or something like that.)
Noun + とか
何か飲み物とかありますか？ (Do you have any drinks or something?)
Verb (dictionary form) + とか
宿題するとか、部屋を掃除するとか、やることがたくさんある。 (I have a lot to do, like homework, cleaning my room, and so on.)
Question word + とか
どこか行くとか？ (Are you going somewhere or something?)
Sentence + とか + 言う/思う
彼は疲れているとか言っていました。 (He said he was tired or something.)
Como usar
When 〜とか is used at the end of a list, it means "and so on," "among other things," or "etc." It implies that the list is not exhaustive and there are other similar items.
It can also be used with a single item, especially a noun or noun phrase, to mean "or something like that," "things like X." This suggests a more casual or imprecise reference to the item. For example, 「映画とか見に行った？」(Did you go see a movie or something?)
〜とか is generally more casual than 〜など. Use 〜など in more formal contexts.
A common mistake is using 〜とか in formal writing or speeches. It’s best reserved for casual conversations or informal writing. For formal contexts, use 〜など (and so on, among others) instead.
Another mistake is to use 〜とか when you want to give an exhaustive list. If you intend to list all relevant items, you should just list them without 〜とか, or use a more definitive conjunction like 〜と (and) for a list of nouns, or 〜て (and) for a list of verbs.
Teste-se 108 perguntas
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 私は、りんご＿＿＿みかん＿＿＿果物が好きです。
「〜とか、〜とか」is used to list examples of things you like, often casually. Here, it indicates 'apples, oranges, and so on' as fruits you like.
Which sentence correctly uses 「〜とか」?
「〜とか」is used to list examples of things. In this sentence, it lists examples of things that were eaten (cakes, bread, and so on).
How would you casually say 'I like sports like soccer and tennis'?
Using 「〜とか」twice emphasizes that soccer and tennis are just examples among many sports you like, making it more casual.
You can use 「〜とか」when listing only one example.
「〜とか」is typically used to list multiple examples or imply there are more examples than what's explicitly stated. It's not usually used for a single example.
「〜とか」can be used to casually ask about someone's plans, like 'Are you going to the park or something?'
You can use 「〜とか」to suggest an activity and imply other possibilities, for example, 「公園に行くとか？」(Are you going to the park or something like that?).
「〜とか」is always followed by a noun.
While it often follows nouns when listing examples, it can also follow verbs or adjectives in certain grammatical structures to express 'things like that' or 'such things'.
Write a short sentence listing two things you like to eat, using 'とか' (toka) to connect them. For example, 'I like sushi and ramen, etc.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私はすしとかラーメンとか好きです。 (Watashi wa sushi toka ramen toka suki desu.)
Imagine you're listing things you do on the weekend. Write a sentence using 'とか' to mention two activities. For example, 'On the weekend, I read books and watch movies, etc.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
週末は本を読むとか映画を見るとかします。(Shūmatsu wa hon o yomu toka eiga o miru toka shimasu.)
Write a sentence mentioning two types of drinks you like, using 'とか'. For example, 'I like tea and coffee, etc.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お茶とかコーヒーとか好きです。(Ocha toka kōhī toka suki desu.)
What kind of things does the speaker like to eat?
Read this passage:
私は果物が好きです。りんごとかバナナとかよく食べます。
What kind of things does the speaker like to eat?
The passage says '私は果物が好きです。りんごとかバナナとかよく食べます。' which means 'I like fruit. I often eat apples, bananas, etc.'
The passage says '私は果物が好きです。りんごとかバナナとかよく食べます。' which means 'I like fruit. I often eat apples, bananas, etc.'
What does the speaker do on their days off?
Read this passage:
休みの日はテレビを見るとか、ゲームをするとかします。
What does the speaker do on their days off?
The passage states '休みの日はテレビを見るとか、ゲームをするとかします。' which translates to 'On my days off, I watch TV, play games, etc.'
The passage states '休みの日はテレビを見るとか、ゲームをするとかします。' which translates to 'On my days off, I watch TV, play games, etc.'
What does the speaker's friend like?
Read this passage:
私の友達は犬とか猫とか、動物が好きです。
What does the speaker's friend like?
The passage says '私の友達は犬とか猫とか、動物が好きです。' which means 'My friend likes animals, such as dogs and cats.'
The passage says '私の友達は犬とか猫とか、動物が好きです。' which means 'My friend likes animals, such as dogs and cats.'
週末は映画を見たり、買い物に___しました。 (On the weekend, I watched movies, went shopping, and so on.)
To list examples of activities, use the 〜たり〜たり structure. Here, the particle とか is not used directly with the verb, but the overall sentence structure implies 'and so on.'
お昼ご飯は、おにぎり___パンを食べます。 (For lunch, I eat onigiri or bread or something.)
とか is used to list examples, implying there might be other things, in a casual way.
好きな食べ物は、寿司___ラーメンです。 (My favorite foods are sushi, ramen, and so on.)
とか is used after nouns to give examples, meaning 'and so on' or 'things like'.
休みの日は、ゲームをしたり、本を読んだり___します。 (On my days off, I play games, read books, and so on.)
とか can follow the 〜たり〜たり construction to emphasize the 'and so on' aspect.
誕生日にプレゼントをあげたいけど、何がいいかな？本___CD___。 (I want to give a present for their birthday, but what would be good? Like a book or a CD or something.)
とか is used here to suggest examples of gifts, implying uncertainty or open-endedness.
週末は、友達とカフェ___映画に行きます。 (On the weekend, I go to a cafe or a movie with friends.)
とか can be used between listed items to mean 'or something like that'.
What do you do on weekends?
What kind of fruits do you like?
What are your hobbies?
Read this aloud:
コーヒーとか紅茶とか、何を飲みますか？
Focus: とか (toka)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
犬とか猫とか、動物は好きですか？
Focus: とか (toka)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
本とか雑誌とか、よく読みますか？
Focus: とか (toka)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
List 2-3 things you do on a typical weekend, using 'とか'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
週末は映画を見るとか、友達と会うとかします。
Imagine you're planning a party. List 2-3 things you need to buy, using 'とか'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
パーティーのために、飲み物とか、お菓子とか買います。
What kind of gifts do you like to receive? List 2-3 examples using 'とか'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は本とか、服とかプレゼントでもらうのが好きです。
Bさんは週末に何をしましたか？
Read this passage:
A: 週末は何をしましたか？ B: 私は公園に行ったりとか、本を読んだりとかしました。 A: いいですね！
Bさんは週末に何をしましたか？
Bさんは「公園に行ったりとか、本を読んだりとかしました」と答えています。
Bさんは「公園に行ったりとか、本を読んだりとかしました」と答えています。
話している人はランチに何を考えていますか？
Read this passage:
今日のランチは何を食べようかな。パスタとか、サンドイッチとか、どうかな？
話している人はランチに何を考えていますか？
「パスタとか、サンドイッチとか、どうかな？」と言っているので、これらの例を考えています。
「パスタとか、サンドイッチとか、どうかな？」と言っているので、これらの例を考えています。
この人の趣味は何ですか？
Read this passage:
私の趣味は、絵を描くとか、音楽を聴くとかです。
この人の趣味は何ですか？
「絵を描くとか、音楽を聴くとかです」と趣味の例を挙げています。
「絵を描くとか、音楽を聴くとかです」と趣味の例を挙げています。
Choose the best particle to complete the sentence: 私は、週末に映画を見る___、本を読むのが好きです。
「〜とか」is used to list examples casually, meaning 'and so on' or 'like'. In this case, 'watching movies' and 'reading books' are examples of what the speaker likes to do on weekends.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses 「〜とか」?
Option A uses 「〜とか」to list examples of fun activities on the weekend. Options B, C, and D use 「〜とか」incorrectly or in a less natural way for this context.
Select the sentence where 「〜とか」is used to give examples of things to do:
Option B uses 「〜とか」to list examples of desired activities for summer vacation. The other options use 「〜とか」in a less appropriate context for listing examples of actions.
「〜とか」can be used to list a few examples of things casually.
This statement is true. 「〜とか」is a particle used to give a few examples in a casual manner, implying 'and so on' or 'like'.
Using 「〜とか」makes a list sound more formal and complete.
This statement is false. 「〜とか」is used for casual listing and implies that the list is not exhaustive. For a more formal or complete list, other particles or expressions would be used.
You can use 「〜とか」when talking about things you might do, but haven't decided yet.
This statement is true. 「〜とか」can be used to suggest possibilities or undecided actions, as it conveys a sense of 'or something like that'. For example, '週末は映画を見るとか、本を読むとかするつもりです' (I plan to watch a movie or read a book or something on the weekend).
The speaker lists an activity they do on the weekend.
What should you bring to the party?
The speaker is talking about activities on their days off.
Read this aloud:
好きな食べ物は何ですか？ラーメンとか、寿司とか。
Focus: とか
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
週末は何をしますか？映画を見るとか、友達と会うとか。
Focus: とか
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
旅行の準備は何をしましたか？服とか、パスポートとか。
Focus: とか
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You're telling a friend what you did last weekend. List a few activities using 「とか」. For example, 'I watched a movie and read a book.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだりとかしました。
Imagine you're making plans with a friend. Suggest a couple of things you could do using 「とか」. For example, 'We could go to a cafe or a park.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
カフェに行ったり、公園に行ったりとかしませんか？
Describe a few things you need to buy for a party using 「とか」. For example, 'I need to buy drinks and snacks.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
パーティーのために飲み物とかお菓子とかを買う必要があります。
What did B do on the weekend?
Read this passage:
A: 週末は何をしましたか？ B: うーん、アニメを見たり、ゲームをしたりとかしました。
What did B do on the weekend?
The speaker says 「アニメを見たり、ゲームをしたりとかしました」which means they watched anime and played games, among other things.
The speaker says 「アニメを見たり、ゲームをしたりとかしました」which means they watched anime and played games, among other things.
What is the speaker looking for?
Read this passage:
新しい趣味を探しています。絵を描くとか、写真を撮るとか、何か面白いものはありませんか？
What is the speaker looking for?
The phrase 「新しい趣味を探しています」means 'I'm looking for a new hobby,' and the examples given are typical hobbies.
The phrase 「新しい趣味を探しています」means 'I'm looking for a new hobby,' and the examples given are typical hobbies.
What kind of place does B want to go to?
Read this passage:
A: 今度の休み、どこに行きたいですか？ B: そうですね、海とか山とか、自然がある場所がいいです。
What kind of place does B want to go to?
B mentions 「海とか山とか、自然がある場所」which indicates a preference for natural environments like the sea or mountains.
B mentions 「海とか山とか、自然がある場所」which indicates a preference for natural environments like the sea or mountains.
This sentence suggests activities for the weekend, using '〜とか' to list examples casually. '週末' (weekend), '映画を見る' (watch a movie), '買い物に行く' (go shopping).
Here, '〜とか' is used to list types of Japanese food that someone likes. '日本の食べ物' (Japanese food), '寿司' (sushi), 'ラーメン' (ramen), '好きです' (I like).
This sentence lists activities someone enjoys doing with their boyfriend. '彼と' (with him), '公園で散歩する' (walk in the park), 'カフェで話す' (talk at a cafe).
週末は映画を見に行く___、家でゲームをするのが好きです。
「〜とか」は、例をいくつか挙げる際に使われるカジュアルな表現です。「週末は映画を見に行くとか」で、「映画を見に行ったりする」というニュアンスになります。
引っ越しで、古い家具___、使わない服を処分しました。
「古い家具とか」は、「古い家具のようなもの」や「古い家具などを」という意味で、例を挙げる時に使います。選択肢の中で、最も自然な表現です。
今日のランチはパスタ___、サラダにしようかな。
「〜とか」は、「〜のようなもの」や「〜など」という意味で、選択肢を提示する際にも使われます。ここでは「パスタとか」で、「パスタのようなもの」という意味になります。
旅行に持っていくものは、カメラ___、充電器、変換プラグが必要です。
「カメラとか」は、「カメラなどの」という意味で、旅行に持っていく物の例を挙げる際に使われます。カジュアルなリストアップに適しています。
休日は公園で散歩する___、カフェで本を読むのが好きです。
「公園で散歩するとか」は、「公園で散歩するようなこと」という意味で、休日に行う活動の例を挙げるのに使われます。カジュアルな表現です。
彼女はいつも面白い本___、映画を紹介してくれます。
「面白い本とか」は、「面白い本などの」という意味で、彼女が紹介してくれるものの例を挙げる際に使われます。自然な会話の流れに適しています。
What did they do on the weekend?
What are they thinking about for summer vacation?
What's important when you're stressed?
Read this aloud:
休みの日は何をするとか、どんなことを計画していますか？
Focus: とか
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
健康のために何かしていることとか、気を付けていることはありますか？
Focus: とか
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
日本の文化について、興味があることとか、もっと知りたいことはありますか？
Focus: とか
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence lists examples of how one might spend the weekend. 'とか' connects these casual examples.
This sentence offers suggestions for a present. 'とか' is used to list a couple of casual options.
This sentence describes typical holiday activities. 'とか' connects these casual examples.
今日の夕食、何にする？寿司___、ラーメン___。 (What should we have for dinner today? Sushi, ramen, or something.)
The particle 'とか' is used here to list examples of food options in a casual way.
週末は何する予定？映画を見る___、買い物に行く___。 (What are your plans for the weekend? See a movie, go shopping, or something.)
'とか' is used to provide a non-exhaustive list of activities, implying 'and so on' or 'for example'.
好きな季節は？春___、秋___。 (What's your favorite season? Spring, autumn, or something.)
Here, 'とか' is used to list favorite seasons, indicating that these are just a few examples among possibly others.
最近、どんな本を読んでる？小説___、漫画___。 (What kind of books are you reading lately? Novels, manga, or something.)
'とか' is suitable for giving a casual, incomplete list of book genres being read.
趣味は何？料理___、写真___。 (What are your hobbies? Cooking, photography, or something.)
This usage of 'とか' casually presents examples of hobbies without being exhaustive.
将来の夢は？医者になる___、先生になる___。 (What are your dreams for the future? Become a doctor, become a teacher, or something.)
'とか' is used to casually list potential future aspirations, implying there could be others.
Choose the most appropriate sentence using 「〜とか」:
Option A uses 「〜とか」to list examples of weekend plans casually, which is the correct usage.
Which sentence correctly uses 「〜とか」to suggest possibilities?
Option A uses 「〜とか」to suggest different things one might do to change their mood when tired, fitting the 'or something' nuance.
Select the sentence where 「〜とか」is used to give incomplete or vague information.
Option A implies that he was talking to the section chief, or someone else of that nature, which aligns with the vague or incomplete information aspect of 「〜とか」.
「週末は映画とか、コンサートとか、色々なイベントがある」is a natural way to say there are various events like movies and concerts on the weekend.
This sentence correctly uses 「〜とか」to list examples of events in a casual manner.
You can use 「〜とか」to make a definitive statement about a single item, like「これはペンとかです」.
「〜とか」is used to list examples or indicate vagueness, not to make a definitive statement about a single item. For a single item, 「これはペンです」would be correct.
「彼は社長とか言っていた」means 'He said something like he was the president', implying uncertainty or indirectness.
This sentence uses 「〜とか」to indicate that the speaker is not entirely sure about what was said, or is relaying it informally, which is a correct usage.
You're planning a weekend getaway with friends. Suggest a few activities you could do, using '〜とか'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
週末に温泉に行くとか、映画を見るとか、おいしいものを食べに行くとか、どうですか？ (How about going to a hot spring, watching a movie, or going out to eat something delicious this weekend?)
Describe some challenges you might face when learning a new language, using '〜とか'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
新しい言語を学ぶのは、文法とか発音とか、覚えることがたくさんあって大変です。(Learning a new language is tough because there's a lot to remember, like grammar, pronunciation, and so on.)
You're giving advice to someone moving to Japan. Mention a few things they should prepare for, using '〜とか'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
日本に引っ越すなら、書類の手続きとか、住居探しとか、早めに準備しておいた方がいいですよ。(If you're moving to Japan, you should prepare early for things like paperwork, finding a place to live, and so on.)
Bさんは何についていくつかアイデアを考えていますか？ (What is B thinking of a few ideas about?)
Read this passage:
A: 今度のプロジェクト、どんなアイデアがありますか？ B: そうですね。新しいターゲット層に合わせたキャンペーンとか、SNSを活用したプロモーションとか、いくつか考えています。 (A: What ideas do you have for the next project? B: Well, I'm thinking of a few things, like a campaign tailored to a new target audience, or a promotion using social media.)
Bさんは何についていくつかアイデアを考えていますか？ (What is B thinking of a few ideas about?)
B's statement explicitly lists 'キャンペーンとか、SNSを活用したプロモーションとか' as examples of ideas for the project.
B's statement explicitly lists 'キャンペーンとか、SNSを活用したプロモーションとか' as examples of ideas for the project.
話者は健康のためにどのようなことをしていますか？ (What kind of things is the speaker doing for their health?)
Read this passage:
最近、健康のために何かしていますか？ 私はジョギングとか、ヨガとか、少しずつ運動を始めるようにしています。(Have you been doing anything for your health recently? I've been trying to start exercising little by little, like jogging or yoga.)
話者は健康のためにどのようなことをしていますか？ (What kind of things is the speaker doing for their health?)
The speaker mentions 'ジョギングとか、ヨガとか' as examples of exercises they are starting for their health.
The speaker mentions 'ジョギングとか、ヨガとか' as examples of exercises they are starting for their health.
話者は週末にどのように過ごしましたか？ (How did the speaker spend their weekend?)
Read this passage:
週末は何をして過ごしましたか？ 私は友達と映画を見たりとか、カフェでおしゃべりしたりとか、ゆっくり過ごしました。(What did you do over the weekend? I spent it relaxing, like watching a movie with friends or chatting at a cafe.)
話者は週末にどのように過ごしましたか？ (How did the speaker spend their weekend?)
The speaker explicitly states '映画を見たりとか、カフェでおしゃべりしたりとか' as examples of how they spent their relaxed weekend.
The speaker explicitly states '映画を見たりとか、カフェでおしゃべりしたりとか' as examples of how they spent their relaxed weekend.
This sentence lists items needed for a trip. 'とか' is used to give examples, indicating there might be other things to prepare.
This sentence describes typical weekend activities. 'とか' is used to list examples of how one spends their free time.
This sentence explains how the speaker kept the audience engaged by listing various techniques used, with 'とか' indicating these are examples.
週末は映画を見に行く___、家でゲームをする___。
「〜とか」は、いくつかの例を挙げる際に使われるカジュアルな表現です。この文脈では、映画を見に行くことやゲームをすることを例として挙げています。
彼とは、仕事のこと___、プライベートなこと___、何でも話せる。
「〜とか」は、列挙する例をぼかすようなニュアンスも持ちます。ここでは仕事やプライベートなことを例として挙げて、それらを含めて何でも話せる関係であることを示しています。
休みの日は、カフェで読書する___、公園を散歩する___して過ごしています。
複数の行動を例として挙げる際に「〜とか」が使われます。ここでは読書と散歩を例に、休日の過ごし方を説明しています。
旅行に行くなら、北海道___、沖縄___、どこがいいですか。
選択肢を提示する際に「〜とか」を使うと、カジュアルな問いかけになります。ここでは旅行先の候補として北海道や沖縄を例に挙げています。
疲れた時は、甘いもの___、温かい飲み物___が欲しくなります。
「〜とか」は、具体的な例を挙げて状況を説明する際に便利です。ここでは疲れた時に欲しくなるものを例として挙げています。
この夏は、海に行く___、花火大会に行く___、色々計画しています。
夏に計画していることを具体的にいくつか例示する際に「〜とか」が適しています。海や花火大会がその例です。
What is the speaker saying about their current situation? Pay attention to the things they list.
What kind of activities does the speaker often do on weekends? Listen for the examples given.
The speaker is asking for recommendations related to Japanese culture. What specific categories are they interested in?
Read this aloud:
ストレスが溜まったら、音楽を聴くとか、散歩するとかして気分転換しています。
Focus: とか (toka)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
将来は海外で働くとか、自分のビジネスを始めるとか、色々な選択肢を考えています。
Focus: とか (toka)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
休日は家でゲームをするとか、本を読むとか、ゆっくり過ごすのが好きです。
Focus: とか (toka)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 108 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use '〜とか' to list examples casually, similar to 'and so on' or 'like' in English.
- casual listing
- gives examples
- means 'and so on'
Exemplo
週末は映画を見に行ったりとか、友達と遊んだりとかします。
Conteúdo relacionado
Mais palavras de communication
について
A2about; concerning
宛先
B1The address or name of the recipient to whom mail or an email is sent.
番地
A2House number
賛同
B1Approval, endorsement; support or agreement with an idea.
~も
A2Too, also.
〜そして
A1And then; and (used to connect sentences or clauses).
〜や
A2And; and so forth (used to list examples, implying others exist).
たり
A2Indicates a non-exhaustive list of actions/states ('and so on').
お知らせ
B1Notice; an announcement or communication.
答え
A2A thing said, written, or done as a reaction to a question or statement.
