# というか～というか: or rather; or perhaps I should say; I mean ~ > Learn how to use というか～というか, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern meaning or rather, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-to-iu-ka-to-iu-ka/ **というか～というか** means **or rather; or perhaps I should say; I mean ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to hesitantly rephrase or describe something by presenting two alternative descriptions — neither quite perfect on its own. This grammar point appears naturally in conversation, commentary, and reflective writing. If you want to soften a statement, search for the right word, or acknowledge that a single label doesn’t capture the whole picture, **というか～というか** is a pattern worth mastering because it adds nuance and humility to your Japanese. ## What does というか～というか mean? Use **というか～というか** when you want to present two overlapping, sometimes contrasting descriptions of the same thing, to show that you’re groping for the right expression. The speaker isn’t committing fully to either; instead they’re painting a picture with two strokes. Natural translations include: - or rather; or perhaps I should say; I mean ~ The best translation depends on the sentence. Look at the two descriptions and the surrounding tone first, then choose an English phrase that captures the hesitation. ## How to form というか～というか
Phrase A + というか → Phrase B + というか…
Both Phrase A and Phrase B can be nouns, adjectives, short clauses, or even incomplete ideas — the pattern itself signals that you’re thinking aloud. Often the second というか is followed by a concluding remark like 〜といったところだ, なんというか, or simply a trailing-off. Examples of the pattern: - 面白い(おもしろい)**というか**奇妙(きみょう)**というか**… - 運命(うんめい)**というか**偶然(ぐうぜん)**というか**… - 親切(しんせつ)**というか**おせっかい**というか**… The form before the grammar point is flexible. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices may try to insert a different quoting particle, but only というか works in this double structure. ## When is というか～というか used? Use **というか～というか** in situations like: - searching for the right word when a single adjective or phrase feels insufficient - softening what might otherwise sound like a blunt judgment - admitting mixed feelings or ambiguity about a person, experience, or thing - connecting ideas in spoken monologues, blog posts, interviews, and reflective essays Tone and register: - reflective, slightly hesitant, often used in casual conversation but also acceptable in semi-formal writing - common in everyday chats, podcasts, light editorials, and JLPT N1 listening tasks that test nuance ## というか～というか example sentences
彼かれの態度たいどは、冷つめたいというか、無関心むかんしんというか、微妙びみょうだ。
His attitude is cold, or rather indifferent — hard to pin down.
personality hesitation
この部屋へやは、広ひろいというか、がらんとしているというか、落おち着つかない。
This room is spacious, or rather it feels empty — it’s unsettling.
place comparison
あの映画えいがは、面白おもしろいというか、不思議ふしぎというか、ずっと考かんがえさせられた。
That movie was interesting, or maybe strange — it stayed with me.
impression media
彼女かのじょの料理りょうりは、独創的どくそうてきというか、型かたにはまっていないというか、いつも驚おどろかされる。
Her cooking is creative, or rather unconventional — it always surprises me.
creativity praise
運命うんめいというか、偶然ぐうぜんというか、出会であうべくして出会であった気きがする。
It felt like fate, or maybe just chance — like we were meant to meet.
destiny reflection
After reading each sentence, ask what job **というか～というか** is doing: presenting two imperfect descriptions that together capture a fuzzy truth. That makes the pattern’s nuance easier to internalize than a one-word English gloss. ## Nuance of というか～というか The key nuance is **two descriptions, neither quite sufficient alone, used to gently explore a feeling or judgment**. This matters because learners often treat it as a simple “or,” but the double pattern implies searching, hesitation, and modesty. It’s not a stark contrast; it’s an overlapping Venn diagram of impressions. For example: - Saying 寂しい(さびしい)というか辛い(つらい)というか… doesn’t mean “either lonely or painful” — it suggests the speaker can’t decide which word fits, so they offer both, hovering between them. - Compared with a single というか (see comparison below), the double structure draws out the uncertainty and invites the listener to feel along with the speaker.
💡
This pattern often ends with a trailing off or a 〜といったところだ that wraps up the thought. The hesitation itself carries meaning — it signals that the speaker is being honest about their mixed feelings.
## というか～というか vs というより Both patterns can rephrase, but they work differently.
というか～というか
Two overlapping perspectives
When you hesitate and offer two labels, neither fully accurate alone
彼(かれ)は真面目(まじめ)というか頑固(がんこ)というか…
He is serious, or maybe stubborn — it’s hard to say.
VS
というより
One side is stronger
When you assert that B describes the situation better than A
彼(かれ)は真面目(まじめ)というより頑固(がんこ)だ。
He is more stubborn than serious.
If both translations seem possible, check the speaker’s intent. With **というか～というか**, they’re undecided; with **というより**, they’ve made up their mind but want to soften the correction. A good ear for this distinction will improve your natural Japanese immensely. ## Common mistakes with というか～というか
❌
あの店(みせ)は安い(やすい)というか、サービスがいいというか。
Here the two qualities aren’t overlapping — they’re simply two positive points, not a wavering search for the right word.
✅
あの店(みせ)は安い(やすい)というか、質素(しっそ)というか、お金(かね)がない人(ひと)向け(むけ)だ。
Now the two descriptions (cheap and plain) circle around the same fuzzy impression, so the pattern makes sense.
❌
彼(かれ)の説明(せつめい)はわかりやすいというか、早(はや)すぎる。
Using only one というか when you intend the double-hesitation pattern sounds incomplete; you need the second alternative.
✅
彼(かれ)の説明(せつめい)はわかりやすいというか、あっさりしすぎているというか、物(もの)足り(たり)なかった。
A helpful practice: whenever you write a sentence with というか～というか, remove the second half and see if the meaning collapses. If it still works, you might have used it superficially rather than to convey genuine uncertainty. ## Is というか～というか on the JLPT?
N1
✓ Reading ✓ Listening

Yes, というか～というか appears on the JLPT N1 test, particularly in the reading and listening sections. It tests whether you can recognize the speaker’s hesitation and the overlapping descriptions. Grammar questions may ask you to choose the correct filling particle or to interpret the nuance in a short passage.

For test preparation, practice with sentences that mix abstract nouns and adjectives. N1 often pairs this pattern with emotional or evaluative vocabulary.

## Practice questions for というか～というか
1
Describe a friend’s personality using というか〜というか. Try to capture a mix of qualities that aren’t obviously positive or negative.
personality
2
Recall a recent experience that left you with mixed feelings. Use the pattern to express your conflicted impression.
experience
3
Rewrite a blunt statement (e.g., “That restaurant is overpriced”) into a softer form using というか〜というか, then compare with というより.
comparison
4
Listen to a podcast or interview where the speaker is searching for words; identify any というか〜というか moments and note how they shape the overall tone.
listening
Keep your first sentences simple — just two adjectives around one theme. Once the structure feels natural, add a concluding phrase like 〜といったところだ to make the hesitation part of a larger observation. ## Learning path for というか～というか
1
Memorize the formation: Phrase A + というか + Phrase B + というか. Write five combinations using adjectives you know.
2
Compare with というより. Write pairs of sentences that use both patterns, and explain why you chose one over the other.
3
Practice in context: describe a movie, a dish, or a place you visited recently, using the pattern to express your uncertain impression.
4
Immerse: listen to native speakers on variety shows or talk radio, where they often talk through their feelings with this pattern. Shadow the intonation.
5
Review with the related grammar below. When you understand how each similar pattern carves its own nuance, your N1-level precision will improve dramatically.
## Related grammar to review next - [と相(あい)まって](/blog/n1-to-aimatte/) — because it also joins two elements (A and B) into a combined effect, but with a more formal, cause‑and‑result slant - [とあれば](/blog/n1-to-areba/) — because both contain と and set up a conditional or situational frame, useful for comparing how particles shift nuance at N1 - [とあって](/blog/n1-to-atte/) — because it, too, explains a reason with と, and grasping the subtle differences will solidify your particle control - [とばかりに](/blog/n1-to-bakari-ni/) — because it similarly presents a stance (as if to say…) and will help you see how というか structures differ from adverbial phrases at the same level ## Learn というか～というか with Hane If you want to review **というか～というか** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)