とか～とか
🃏 Flashcard
とか～とか
toka~toka
Tap to reveal usage
among other things; such as; like
N4
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N4
Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences
Reading
toka~toka
Post ID
50795
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
among other things; such as; like
📖 How to use it
Lists examples of actions, items, or situations, implying there are others not mentioned.
Attaches to
Attach とか to each listed item. For verbs, use the plain form (dictionary, ない, past, etc.) before とか. For nouns and な-adjectives, attach とか directly to the stem (no だ).
This pattern is a casual way to give examples of things or actions, similar to saying 'such as' or 'like'. It implies that the list is not exhaustive—there are other possibilities. You can list two or more items, and it works with nouns, verbs, and adjectives alike. For verbs, you use the plain form before とか, so it can be dictionary form for present/future, or past form for past actions. For nouns and adjectives, you just add とか to each one. It's common in everyday conversation and feels informal, so avoid using it in very formal writing or speeches.
休みの日は、映画を見るとか、買い物に行くとかしています。
Yasumi no hi wa, eiga o miru toka, kaimono ni iku toka shite imasu.
On my days off, I do things like watching movies or going shopping.
コーヒーとか紅茶とか、どちらがいい？
Koohii toka koocha toka, dochira ga ii?
Which would you like, coffee or tea (or something)?
この店は、ラーメンとかギョーザとかがおいしいです。
Kono mise wa, raamen toka gyooza toka ga oishii desu.
This restaurant is good for things like ramen and gyoza.
Not や
や is a particle that lists nouns as examples, but cannot be used with verbs or adjectives. とか～とか can list any type of word and is more casual. Also, や doesn't repeat after each item, while とか often repeats.
Register
This pattern is conversational and informal; it is not used in formal writing or polite speeches.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
とか～とか
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat とか～とか three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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 とか～とか. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N4 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern とか～とか mean?
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Among other things; such as; like
What JLPT level is とか～とか?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use とか～とか in a sentence?
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Attach とか～とか (toka~toka) 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 とか～とか formal or casual Japanese?
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とか～とか is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember とか～とか long-term?
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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.