A というか B というか

When to use

というか～というか: whether you call it A or B.

Explanation

The grammar 'A というか B というか' is used when the speaker isn't sure which expression (A or B) describes the situation better. It can be translated as 'rather than A, it's more B' or 'should I call it A or B?'.

• 彼かれは無礼ぶれいというか、直接的ちょくせつてきというか、とにかくはっきりしている。

  He's rather rude, or maybe just direct; in any case, he is very blunt.

  Kare wa burei to iu ka, chokusetsuteki to iu ka, tonikaku hakkiri shite iru.

• この映画えいがは面白おもしろいというか、変へんというか、とにかく不思議ふしぎな雰囲気ふんいきがある。

  This movie is interesting or maybe strange; anyway, it has a mysterious vibe.

  Kono eiga wa omoshiroi to iu ka, hen to iu ka, tonikaku fushigi na fun'iki ga aru.

• 彼かの絵えは素晴すばらしいというか、驚おどろくべきというか、本当ほんとうに見みる価値かちがある。

  His paintings are wonderful, or perhaps astonishing; they're definitely worth seeing.

  Kare no e wa subarashii to iu ka, odoroku beki to iu ka, hontou ni miru kachi ga aru.

• 彼女かのじょの服ふくはかわいいというか、派手はでというか、とにかく人目ひとめを引ひく。

  Her outfit is cute or maybe flashy; in any case, it grabs people's attention.

  Kanojo no fuku wa kawaii to iu ka, hade to iu ka, tonikaku hitome o hiku.

Listing (Such As / Etc.)

• A とか B とかN4Used to express multiple examples or possibilities; 'such…
• ～など〜nadoN3Indicates a non-exhaustive list of examples; 'such as'…
• Noun や Noun など～Noun ya Noun nadoN5Lists items or examples but not exhaustively; 'such as'…
• ～たり、～たり します〜tari, 〜tari shimasuN5Used to list multiple actions or states; 'do things like'…
• ～なんか〜nankaN3Expresses the idea of 'things like' or 'something like'…
• ～やら～やら〜yara〜yaraN2Expresses various items or actions, 'things like..., and…
• A だの B だのA dano B danoN1Used to list examples (often with a critical or…

Compare when to use each