Structure
Noun + か何か
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About か何か
か何か is a structure in Japanese used for expressing uncertainty about a specific thing. Being a construction of か, the substitute noun 何, and か, the common translations of 'or something', and 'or something like (A)' are quite close to the more literal meaning which is just '(A), or whatever it is'.
か何か will follow directly after the noun that it is describing as being something uncertain.
か何か will also often be used in questions, or when offering someone something. This is primarily when more than (A) is available as a choice, but the speaker isn't specifying a list just yet. In these situations, (A) just indicates a general category to which 'or something else' would be a part of.
Synonyms
Examples
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学校か何かに通ってるみたいだけど。
He seems to go to school or something.
「仕事でいやなことがあったか何か?機嫌が悪そうね。」
'Did something happen at work or something? You seem to be in a bad mood.'
バーテンダーのひとみさん:「お飲み物はいかが?」
顧客のにったさん:「ビールか何かがほしいな。」
Hitomi, the bartender: 'How about a drink?'.
Nitta, the customer: 'I'd like a beer or something'.
奥さん:「コーヒーか何か飲みませんか?」
お客さん:「結構です。」
Wife: 'Would you like coffee or something to drink?'
Guest: 'No, I'm fine.'
警察官:「泥棒はバールか何かを使って、窓を開けたと思います。」
Policeman: 'I think that the thief opened the window using a crowbar or something.'
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