N2 Hearsay and Reporting

~とか (hearsay): meaning, usage and examples

~とか (hearsay) means: I heard that... / they say that...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 佐藤さとうさんは転職てんしょくするとか。

   I hear Mr. Sato is changing jobs.

2. 今年ことしは暑あつい夏なつになるとか。

   They say this year will be a hot summer.

3. 駅前えきまえに新あたらしいスーパーができるとか。

   I hear a new supermarket is opening in front of the station.

4. 鈴木すずきさんの息子むすこさんは、来月らいげつ結婚けっこんするとか。

   I hear Ms. Suzuki's son is getting married next month.

When to use it

Use this とか at the end of a sentence to pass on something you heard, when you are not completely sure of the details. It is like "I hear that..." or "apparently", as in 駅前えきまえに新あたらしいスーパーができるとか (I hear a new supermarket is opening in front of the station).

Nuance

Conversational and a little soft; common in friendly chat and letters. It sounds less certain than そうだ and suggests the speaker heard it vaguely. Not used in formal reports. Do not confuse it with the listing とか (りんごとかバナナとか).

Compare

そうだ (hearsay) is the standard, clear form: 雨あめが降ふるそうだ. とか is vaguer and softer: 雨あめが降ふるとか. らしい is based on evidence or rumor and can also be a guess. ということだ is more formal and precise.

Tip: Think of とか as "something like..." added to news you heard: it is a fuzzy そうだ.