When learning Japanese, you’ll quickly notice there are multiple ways to list actions or examples. Two common patterns are ～たり～たりする and ～とか～とかする. At first glance, they seem similar, but they have slightly different uses and nuances. Let’s break them down so you can use them naturally.

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1. Using ～たり～たりする

The ～たり～たりする pattern is used to list a few representative actions or states among many possibilities. It’s often used to describe things you do sometimes, examples of activities, or a variety of actions.

Structure

• Verb (た-form) + り + Verb (た-form) + り + する

Example Sentences

• 日曜日にちようびは映画えいがを見たり、本ほんを読よんだりします。
  On Sundays, I watch movies, read books, and so on.
  
• 日本にほんでは冬ふゆにスキーをしたり、温泉おんせんに入はいったりする人ひとが多おおいです。
  In Japan, many people go skiing or take hot springs in winter (among other things).

👉 Nuance: It emphasizes that these are representative examples. There are other activities not mentioned, but these are a few you’re highlighting.

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2. Using ～とか～とかする

The ～とか～とかする pattern is also used to list things, but the nuance is slightly different. It feels more casual and is often used in spoken Japanese to give examples in a lighter, less structured way.

Structure

• Noun / Verb (dictionary form) + とか + Noun / Verb + とか + する

Example Sentences

• 週末しゅうまつはカフェに行いくとか、友ともだちと買かい物ものするとかします。
  On weekends, I might go to a café or go shopping with friends and such.
  
• 趣味しゅみは、音楽おんがくを聞きくとか、スポーツをするとかです。
  My hobbies are things like listening to music or playing sports.

👉 Nuance: It feels like you’re saying “things like… or stuff like that.” It’s softer, less formal, and often used in conversation.

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3. Key Differences

Pattern	Usage	Nuance	Example
～たり～たりする	Lists representative actions	Structured, slightly formal, covers variety	本ほんを読よんだり、散歩さんぽしたりします。
～とか～とかする	Lists casual examples	Conversational, lighter, “things like…”	本ほんを読よむとか、散歩さんぽするとかします。

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4. Quick Tips for Learners

• Use ～たり～たりする when describing a range of activities or what you did/didn’t do in a slightly formal context (essays, JLPT, polite speech).
• Use ～とか～とかする in casual daily conversation when you want to sound natural and relaxed.
• Both can sometimes overlap, but choosing the right one makes your Japanese sound more natural depending on the situation.

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5. Practice Challenge

Try rewriting these sentences with both patterns:

1. 今日何きょうなにをしましたか？
2. 日本にほんで何なにをしましたか？
3. あなたの趣味しゅみは何なんですか？

Hint: Use both ～たり～たりする and ～とか～とかする to see how the nuance changes.

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✨ By mastering these two patterns, you’ll be able to express activities and examples with more nuance, switching between structured (～たり～たりする) and casual (～とか～とかする) depending on the situation.

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