or rather; I mean ~ (というか〜というか) – Japanese Grammar というか〜というか (to iu ka~to iu ka)

Q: What JLPT level is というか〜というか?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use というか〜というか in a sentence?

Attach というか〜というか to the appropriate verb or noun form. Or rather; I mean ~

Q: Is というか〜というか formal or casual Japanese?

というか〜というか is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

というか〜というか

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

to iu ka~to iu ka

or rather; I mean ~

ものとする mono to suru ものとして mono toshite たら〜ところだ tara~tokoro da もしくは moshikuwa ためしがない tameshi ga nai ことなしに koto nashi ni てみせる te miseru 甲斐もなく kai mo naku を兼ねて o kanete まるっきり marukkiri いかに ikani んばかりに n bakari ni さぞ sazo めく meku すら / ですら sura / de sura もしないで mo shinai de て敵わない te kanawanai としたことが toshita koto ga とされる to sareru にとどまらず ni todomarazu ものとする mono to suru ものとして mono toshite たら〜ところだ tara~tokoro da もしくは moshikuwa ためしがない tameshi ga nai ことなしに koto nashi ni てみせる te miseru 甲斐もなく kai mo naku を兼ねて o kanete まるっきり marukkiri いかに ikani んばかりに n bakari ni さぞ sazo めく meku すら / ですら sura / de sura もしないで mo shinai de て敵わない te kanawanai としたことが toshita koto ga とされる to sareru にとどまらず ni todomarazu

🃏 Flashcard

というか〜というか

to iu ka~to iu ka

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or rather; I mean ~

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading to iu ka~to iu ka

Post ID 51393

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

or rather; I mean ~

📖 How to use it

Used to present two possible descriptions of something, often when the speaker is reconsidering or softening their statement.

Attaches to Attach to the plain form of verbs and adjectives, or to nouns/na-adjectives directly (with or without だ in the first part, but the second part often drops だ). The structure is: [A] というか [B] というか.

This pattern is like saying 'is it A, or is it B?' but you're not really asking a question—you're hesitating between two ways to put something. It's often used when you're not fully satisfied with either description, or when you want to be vague or soften what you're saying. It can also show that you're thinking out loud about how to express something.

You can use it with nouns, adjectives, or verbs. For example, with nouns: 彼はプロというか天才というか (He's a pro, or rather a genius). With verbs: 嬉しいというか恥ずかしいというか (I'm happy, or rather embarrassed). The second part often ends without だ, but the first part can include it or not; either is fine.

This pattern is quite colloquial and often used in spoken Japanese to express a nuanced feeling. It's not something you'd write in a formal essay. It gives a sense of the speaker searching for the right word.

あの映画は面白いというか変というか、最後まで目が離せなかった。

Ano eiga wa omoshiroi to iu ka hen to iu ka, saigo made me ga hanasenakatta.

That movie was interesting, or rather weird—I couldn't take my eyes off it until the end.

彼女の料理は家庭的というか、母の味というか、なんか懐かしい感じがする。

Kanojo no ryouri wa kateiteki to iu ka, haha no aji to iu ka, nanka natsukashii kanji ga suru.

Her cooking is homey, or maybe it's like mother's cooking—it feels nostalgic somehow.

新しい仕事は大変というか、やりがいがあるというか、毎日充実してるよ。

Atarashii shigoto wa taihen to iu ka, yarigai ga aru to iu ka, mainichi juujitsu shiteru yo.

My new job is tough, or rather it's rewarding—every day is fulfilling.

Not というか (without repetition) The single というか is used to correct or rephrase what you just said (e.g., 今日は疲れたというか、眠い). The repeated pattern というか〜というか presents two options side by side, often showing hesitation between them.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

というか〜というか

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat というか〜というか three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using というか〜というか. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

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all; every single ~ (no exceptions)

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during; for; since; over a period of time

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern というか〜というか mean? ▼

Or rather; I mean ~

What JLPT level is というか〜というか? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use というか〜というか in a sentence? ▼

Attach というか〜というか (to iu ka~to iu ka) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is というか〜というか formal or casual Japanese? ▼

というか〜というか is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember というか〜というか long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.