JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
I heard that... (uncertain hearsay)
Category: Hearsay and Information
The grammar pattern "普通形 + とか" is used to express hearsay or uncertain information. It can be translated to 'I heard something like...' or 'someone said...'. This pattern is often used in casual speech to convey rumors or information that the speaker is not 100% sure about. It is a way to express uncertainty or doubt about the accuracy of the information. The speaker may not be certain if the information is true or not, and this pattern helps to convey that uncertainty.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form (普通形) | 普通形 + とか | 来月会社を辞めるとか |
| Plain form (普通形) | 普通形 + とか (with negation) | 来月会社を辞めないとか |
| Plain form (普通形) | 普通形 + とか (with a question) | 来月会社を辞めるとか本当かな? |
田中さん、来月会社を辞めるとか本当かな?
Tanaka-san, kageatsu kaisha o yameru toka hontou ka?
I heard that Tanaka-san is going to quit the company next month, is that true?
田中さん (Tanaka-san) - subject, 来月 (kageatsu) - next month, 会社を辞める (kaisha o yameru) - to quit the company, とか (toka) - hearsay particle,本当かな (hontou ka) - question about the truth
あの店、明日は休みだとか今日のうちに買っておこう。
Ano mise, ashita wa yasumi da toka kyou no uchi ni kawatte okou.
I heard that the store is closed tomorrow, so I'll buy it today.
あの店 (ano mise) - the store, 明日は休みだ (ashita wa yasumi da) - tomorrow is a holiday, とか (toka) - hearsay particle, 今日のうちに買っておこう (kyou no uchi ni kawatte okou) - buy it today
北海道はもう雪が降ったとかもう冬だね。
Hokkaidou wa mō yuki ga futta toka mō fuyu da ne.
I heard that it's snowing in Hokkaido, it's already winter, right?
北海道 (Hokkaidou) - Hokkaido, もう (mō) - already, 雪が降った (yuki ga futta) - it's snowing, とか (toka) - hearsay particle, もう冬だね (mō fuyu da ne) - it's already winter, right?
This pattern is used in casual speech to express hearsay or uncertain information. It is not suitable for formal reports or writing. Be careful not to confuse it with the listing particle '〜とか〜とか' (A and B, etc.).
This pattern is too casual for formal reports, use formal language to convey the same information.
In the hearsay context, 'だ' is not necessary after 'とか'.
The listing particle '〜とか〜とか' is used to list items, while '普通形 + とか' is used to express hearsay or uncertain information.
In the JLPT exam, be careful not to confuse this pattern with the listing particle '〜とか〜とか'. Make sure to use the correct particle for the context.
田中さん、来月会社を辞める______。本当かな？
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