Lists examples casually, implying there are other similar items too (non-exhaustive). More casual than や〜や or など. Can also quote vague/uncertain statements ('saying things like...').
[Item1] とか [Item2] とか
週末はサッカーとかテニスとかをした。
Shuumatsu wa sakkaa toka tenisu toka o shita.
On weekends I did things like soccer and tennis.
とか〜とか = listing non-exhaustive examples
彼は来るとか来ないとか言っていた。
Kare wa kuru toka konai toka itte ita.
He was saying things like he'll come, he won't come...
quoting vague/wavering statements
朝はパンとか果物とかを食べます。
Asa wa pan toka kudamono toka o tabemasu.
In the morning I eat things like bread and fruit.
とか〜とか = bread, fruit, and other such things (non-exhaustive)
• とか is more casual than や or など and is very common in speech. • A single とか softens a suggestion: 映画とか見ない? (wanna see a movie or something?).
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones とか〜とか is tested against.
や lists a couple of representative examples but is more neutral/written; とか is more casual/colloquial and readily quotes wavering speech (来るとか来ないとか).
し stacks up REASONS/qualities ('and what's more...'); とか just lists example items — different function.
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