Grammar › N2 · 14 Quoting and set expressions

〜というか: or rather; I mean

N2 · 14 Quoting and set expressions

Rephrases a statement in a softer or more accurate way.

Plain form + というか. Spoken; often ends in 〜というか〜というか, listing two guesses. Used to avoid sounding too definite. Casual speech: っていうか.

Examples

疲つかれたというか、ちょっとやる気やるきが出でないんだ。

I'm tired, or rather, I just can't feel motivated.

変へんというか、不思議ふしぎな話はなしだね。

It's strange, or rather, a mysterious story.