とか～とか【とか】

The particle とか is used to list examples non-exhaustively, similar to "things like," "such as," or "among other things" in English. It implies that the items mentioned are just a few examples and that there are others not stated. It is more casual than や and is very common in everyday conversation.

Listing nouns

When listing nouns, attach とか after each item. You typically list two or three examples, though even one is possible.

The final とか can sometimes be omitted, but including it reinforces the sense that the list is incomplete.

Listing verbs and adjectives

Unlike や, とか can also be used with verbs and adjectives (in their plain form), making it more flexible.

Casual tone

とか～とか has a casual, conversational feel. In formal writing or very polite speech, や or など is generally preferred. Using とか in formal situations can sound too relaxed.

Single とか

In casual speech, とか is sometimes used with just one item to soften a statement or suggest vagueness, similar to "…or something like that."

This usage is very common among younger speakers and adds a sense of tentativeness or casualness.