とか～とか means things like; among others. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does とか～とか mean and when should you use it?
What does とか～とか mean?
Use とか～とか when you want to express things like; among others in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- things like; among others
- things like
- among others
How to form とか～とか
- Noun/phrase + とか + noun/phrase + とか
- とか～とか
- related form: など
When is とか～とか used?
Use とか～とか in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples
とか～とか example sentences
Nuance of とか～とか
The key nuance is things like; among others in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because とか～とか often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
とか～とか vs など
Common mistakes with とか～とか
Is とか～とか on the JLPT?
Yes. とか～とか is commonly taught as JLPT N4 grammar.
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for とか～とか
Learning path for とか～とか
Related grammar to review next
- それに — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information.
- し — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information.
- でも — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information.
- も — adds another way to list, add, limit, or choose information.
Learn とか～とか with Hane
If you want to review とか～とか together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about とか～とか
What does とか～とか mean in Japanese?
とか～とか means “things like; among others” in Japanese. It is an N4 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is とか～とか on the JLPT?
とか～とか is taught as N4 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N4 patterns.
How should I practice とか～とか?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after とか～とか, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.