N2146/217

とか

Noun + とかVerb (dictionary/plain) + とかSentence + とか + (quotation)Aい/Na/Da + とか + (other items)

Meanings

used to report hearsay or uncertain information
to indicate things people say or rumors, not asserting them as facts
to list examples vaguely, like 'things like' or 'and so on'

About this pattern

Explanation

とか is a casual, hedged way to present information that you heard or that is rumored, rather than something you are asserting as fact. It often implies uncertainty, politeness, or a sense of ‘or so.’ It can also be used to list things loosely in conversational speech, similar to saying “things like …” or “and so on.” In many cases the exact source or reliability is vague. It is common in casual conversations, gossip, or when you want to avoid committing to a specific claim. When used after a verb or sentence, it conveys hearsay (e.g., 'They say that…' or 'I heard that…'). When used with nouns or phrases, it lists examples in a non-final way.

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