Japanese など and とか: examples and register

The idea

Use や between nouns and など after the last example; など suits neutral or formal contexts. In conversation, put とか after one or more examples, including plain verb clauses: 読むとかする. A following particle can mark the whole phrase.

Examples

• パスポートや在留ざいりゅうカードなどの書類しょるいをお持もちください。Please bring documents such as your passport and residence card.
• 図書館としょかんには、本ほんや雑誌ざっしなどがあります。The library has books and magazines, among other things.
• りんごとかみかんとかが好すきです。I like apples, oranges and things like that.
• 休やすみの日ひは、本ほんを読よむとか、映画えいがを見みるとかして過すごします。On days off, I read books, watch films and things like that.
• カフェとかに行いくのはどう？How about going to a café or somewhere?
• 日程にっていや予算よさんなどを話はなし合あいます。We will discuss the schedule and budget, among other matters.

Watch out

Do not treat these lists as exhaustive. とか is casual, so など is often a better choice in formal notices.

Try it yourself

1. 本ほんや雑誌ざっし＿＿を持もってきてください。

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   など

   など — It follows the noun examples in a neutral request.

2. りんご＿＿みかんとかが好すき。

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   とか

   とか — Repeat とか after each example in this conversational list.

3. 休やすみの日ひは本ほんを読よむ＿＿して過すごす。

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   とか

   とか — It follows the plain verb 読む to give an example of an activity.

Use it today

Describe things you bring to work formally, then tell a friend what you do on days off.