“〜to itta・〜to itta you na”: Such 〜 As… (a formal way of listing examples) [JLPT N2]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

「東京や大阪といった大都市」 — a few examples, capped by a summarising noun.

「りんごやみかんといった果物」 — name a few representatives, implying a whole category

Introducing a place's produce, 「りんごやみかんといった果物が有名だ」 (fruits such as apples and oranges are famous) — 「〜といった・〜といったような」 = such as ～, ～ and the like, used to give a few representative examples (implying others of the same kind), followed by a category noun. It's a touch more formal than the colloquial 「〜とか・〜など.」 This guide covers its “representative examples ＋ category” use and how to tell it from 「など・とか.」

Core: listing representative examples, followed by a category term

「A や B ＋ といった ＋ C」 means “C such as A and B” — giving A, B as representative examples of the category C, implying “there are others of the kind”:

• りんごやみかんといった果物 (fruits such as apples and oranges).
• サッカーや野球といったスポーツ (sports such as soccer and baseball).
• 遅刻や欠席といった問題 (problems such as lateness and absence).

Feel: “such as ～, ～ and the like” — the core is giving a few concrete representatives from a large category, then wrapping up with a category noun (果物, スポーツ, 問題). It implies “(not only these,) there are others similar,” a listing/exemplifying expression, a touch more formal/written than 「とか・など.」

Forms & attachment

Examples in use

• 東京や大阪といった大都市は、家賃が高い。(Big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka have high rents.)
• 数学や物理といった理系科目が苦手だ。(I'm bad at science subjects such as math and physics.)
• 環境問題や少子化といった課題が山積みだ。(Challenges such as environmental issues and low birthrate pile up.)
• 彼は疲れたといったような顔をしていた。(He had a face like he was tired.) — といったような
• SNSやゲームといった娯楽に時間を使いすぎる。(I spend too much time on pastimes such as social media and games.)

⚠️ Where learners slip up

① The structure is ‘A や B ＋ といった ＋ category noun'; a noun must follow. The typical use of 「といった」 is to first list a few examples (often two, A や B), then attach a category noun with 「といった」, grouping those examples into a kind: りんごやみかんといった果物 (examples: りんご・みかん → category: 果物), 東京や大阪といった都市 (examples: 東京・大阪 → category: 都市). So 「といった」 must be followed by a noun (the category), with listed examples before. Don't forget the category noun after — you can't stop at 「りんごやみかんといった」 (you need 「といった果物」). Mnemonic: (examples A・B) といった (category noun).

② More formal than 「とか・など」; speech mostly uses 「とか・など.」 「といった」 has a somewhat formal, written color, mostly for writing, reports, formal narration. For everyday “such as, and the like,” the colloquial 「〜とか（AとかBとか）」「〜など（AやBなど）」 is more common: colloquial 「りんごとかみかんとか、果物が好き」 / written 「りんごやみかんといった果物が好きだ.」 All three list examples, but とか is most colloquial, など general, といった a bit more formal. In formal writing 「といった」 looks orderly; for casual chat just use 「とか.」 Test: written, formal listing → といった; everyday speech → とか／など.

③ 「といった」 (listing) ≠ 「という」 (called/so-called). These look alike — don't mix them. 「〜といった」 = such as ～ (listing representative examples): A や B といった C (giving A, B as examples of C): 犬や猫といったペット (pets such as cats and dogs). 「〜という」 = called ～, so-called ～ (naming, content description): 「田中」という人 (a person called Tanaka), 環境保護という問題 (the issue of so-called environmental protection). Difference: 「といった」 lists a few examples (usually two or more, A や B before it), 「という」 names or describes content (usually one concrete name/content before it). Test: to give a few representative examples (such as ～) → といった; to point out “called ～” or “so-called ～” → という. E.g. 「東京や大阪といった都市 (cities such as Tokyo and Osaka — listing)」 uses といった; 「東京という都市 (the city called Tokyo — naming)」 uses という. One 「た」 apart, one listing one naming.

🔄 Compare: といった／など／とか／のような

💡 Quick takeaway

「〜といった・といったような」 = such as ～, ～ and the like, used to list a few representative examples (implying others of the kind) — three points: ① the structure is ‘A や B ＋ といった ＋ category noun' — list examples first, then a category noun with といった (りんごやみかんといった果物); a noun must follow; ② more formal than 「とか・など」 — written text uses といった, everyday speech uses とか／など; ③ separate it from 「という」 — といった lists representative examples (such as ～), という names/describes (called ～, so-called ～), one 「た」 apart. This pattern suits giving a few concrete examples and categorizing in writing or reports (環境問題や少子化といった課題 = challenges such as environmental issues and low birthrate), both concrete and orderly, far clearer than just “いろいろな課題.” For offhand everyday listing, just use 「とか.」

❓ Questions you might have

Q: 「といった」「など」「とか」 all list ‘～ and the like' — how do I tell them apart?

All three list examples (a few examples representing a kind), differing in register and structure. 「〜といった」 = such as ～ (representative examples ＋ category, a bit formal/written): the typical structure is 「A や B ＋ といった ＋ category noun,」 giving a few examples then grouping with a category, with a somewhat formal, orderly written feel, mostly for writing, reports: 東京や大阪といった大都市 (big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka), 遅刻や無断欠勤といった問題 (problems such as lateness and unexcused absence). It must be followed by a category noun. 「〜など」 = ～ etc. (most general): usable in speech or writing, the most common “etc.,” attaching straight after examples: りんごやみかんなどの果物 (fruits like apples and oranges), 鉛筆やノートなど (pencils, notebooks, etc.). It's neutral and general. 「〜とか」 = ～ and the like (colloquial): the most colloquial, offhand, often paired 「AとかBとか」: りんごとかみかんとか (apples and oranges and such), 映画とか見る (watch movies and such). It leans everyday speech. Test: written, formal, wanting the ‘examples ＋ category' orderliness → といった; general ‘etc.' → など; everyday offhand listing → とか. E.g. a report's 「SNSや動画といったメディア (media such as social media and video)」 uses といった (formal grouping); chat's 「YouTubeとか見てる (watching YouTube and such)」 uses とか (colloquial). Same listing — choose by setting: formal/written といった, general など, colloquial とか.

Q: What's the difference between 「といった」 and 「という」? I often confuse them.

One 「た」 apart, but wholly different in use. 「〜といった」 = such as ～ (listing a few representative examples): used to give a few examples (usually two or more, A や B before it), followed by a category noun, grouping them into a kind: 犬や猫といった動物 (animals such as cats and dogs), 日本や韓国といったアジアの国 (Asian countries such as Japan and Korea). Its focus is “exemplifying, listing” — “such as ～ (a kind).” 「〜という」 = called ～, so-called ～ (naming or describing content): used to point out a name, or describe a concept/content (usually one concrete name or content before it): 「桜」という花 (the flower called sakura), 田中という人 (a person called Tanaka), 環境保護という課題 (the challenge of so-called environmental protection), 頑張るということ (the matter of so-called trying hard). Its focus is “naming, pointing out, describing content” — “called ～/so-called ～.” Test: a few examples before (A や B), wanting to say “such as ～” → といった (listing); one name/content before, wanting to say “called ～/so-called ～” → という (naming). E.g. 「うどんやそばといった麺類 (noodles such as udon and soba — a few examples)」 uses といった; 「うどんという食べ物 (the food called udon — naming one)」 uses という. One “gives a few examples representing a kind,” one “points out a name/content” — the thing before (multiple examples vs a single name) and the meaning both differ.

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「東京や大阪___大都市は物価が高い。」(big cities like Tokyo and Osaka)

(A) といった　(B) において　(C) によって　(D) について

Q2. What is the structure before and after 「といった」?

(A) (examples) A や B + といった + (summarizing noun) C　(B) verb te-form + といった　(C) i-adjective + といった　(D) question word + といった

Q3. What does 「りんごやみかんといった果物」 mean?

(A) Fruits such as apples and oranges (citing representative examples)

(B) Only apples and oranges

(C) No fruit

(D) Not fruit

Q4. What is the implication of 「といった」?

(A) Citing representative examples, implying there are others of the same kind

(B) Only the examples cited

(C) indicates adversative

(D) indicates cause and effect

Q5. Which usage is correct?

(A) 犬や猫といった動物。　(B) 走るといった動物。

(C) 高いといった果物。　(D) 食べてといった。

Answer Explanations

1. (A) といった ── Big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

2. (A) ── A や B + といった + a summarizing noun.

3. (A) ── Fruits such as apples and oranges.

4. (A) ── Citing representative examples, implying others of the same kind.

5. (A) ── 「犬や猫といった動物」 is correct.