GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜というか〜というか
Shows the speaker choosing between two descriptions because the subject is difficult to characterize precisely.
Examples
彼の表情は驚いたというか困ったというか、複雑だった。
His expression was complicated, as if he were surprised or perhaps troubled.
Words used
彼の声は優しいというか穏やかというか、安心する。
His voice is comforting, whether you call it kind or calm.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Repeated
というかoffers two descriptions while showing the speaker searching for the right wording. - Basic usage:
彼の表情は驚いたというか困ったというか、複雑だった。describes an expression difficult to pin down as surprised or troubled.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Asserting two qualities versus searching for words
優しくて穏やかだasserts both kindness and calmness as qualities.優しいというか穏やかというかshows the speaker choosing the more suitable word, differing in tone from simply listing both qualities.
- The form inside the description
驚いたというか困ったというかoffers plain-form verbs as possible descriptions. A short na-adjective expression can omitだ, as in穏やかというか, to create the conversational flow of searching for a word.