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I heard that... (uncertain hearsay)
Definition
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.
Structure
| 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? |
Examples
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?
Context
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.).
Watch out
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.
Strategy
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.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 普通形 + とか used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
田中さん、来月会社を辞めるとか。本当かな？
Pattern used: とか
'とか' is perfect here because it expresses uncertainty and a rumor-like quality ('I heard something like...').
あの店、明日は休みだとか。今日のうちに買っておこう。
Pattern used: とか
'とか' indicates the speaker heard a rumor or vague piece of information about the store being closed.
北海道はもう雪が降ったとか。もう冬だね。
Pattern used: とか
Using 'とか' conveys that the speaker heard about the snow from someone else or the news indirectly.
Interactive
田中さん、来月会社を辞める______。本当かな？
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.