とか

1. 1Gives a non-exhaustive list of example items with とか after each one: "things like A and B."Ex. 1
2. 2In the shortened form A とか B, the final とか is dropped and a particle follows the last item directly, with the same "things like A and B" meaning.Ex. 2

Casual and conversational. It is used in everyday talk about hobbies, food, plans and similar topics to give examples without listing everything. It is similar to や, but it sounds more colloquial and can link verbs and adjectives as well as nouns.

• やN5や overlaps with とか only in listing nouns, and the two are roughly interchangeable for that; but や attaches only to nouns, has no hearsay meaning, and is neutral, so it also works in formal writing.
• だの〜だのN2だの〜だの matches only the listing sense of とか and carries a tone of displeasure or annoyance, often listing someone's complaints or excuses, usually paired with と言う and used as a set; it cannot be used for neutral or positive listings or for hearsay.
• 〜たり〜たりするN3〜たり〜たりする is similar to とか for listing actions or states, but each item takes the たり form (e.g. 暑かったり寒かったりする), the sentence usually ends in する, and the register is neutral and fairly formal; it can also express alternation ('sometimes... sometimes...') and has no hearsay meaning.
• といったN2といった must be followed by a noun: a summarizing noun when listing, or words like 意見 or 声 when quoting content; it is neutral and suits written style, while とか is more colloquial, can list nouns or actions, and also has a hearsay sense.
• なんか / なんてN3なんか can also attach to nouns for examples but often carries a dismissive or self-deprecating tone, whereas とか is more neutral and commonly appears as AとかBとか; なんて attaches to sentences to express surprise, while とか with the plain form lists things or relays uncertain hearsay.
• なり〜なりN1なり〜なり matches only the listing sense of とか but emphasizes choosing either one, typically ending with suggestions like しなさい or すればいい; とか merely gives examples with no implication of choice, has no restriction on the sentence ending, and is more colloquial.

や also lists examples but is more neutral and links only nouns; だの〜だの lists things with a complaining tone; 〜たり〜たりする lists representative actions or states (e.g. 暑かったり寒かったりする) and usually ends with する; といった is a more formal pattern that gives examples before a summarizing noun. なんか / なんて also give examples casually but often with a dismissive or humble nuance, while なり〜なり suggests choosing one alternative among options.