か何かor something
You name one thing and leave it open: "or something". Either you aren't sure exactly what it is, or anything of that kind will do.
not sure what
There are old photos or something in this box.
anything like it
Is curry or something OK for dinner?
How to form it
Noun + か何か（+ particle）
In conversation が and を usually drop, and 何か often comes out as なんか: お茶かなんか.
After a verb
Plain form + か何か + する／で
する for something to do, で for a reason.
- Before it
- One example of what you mean: a thing (お茶, 紙), a reason (風邪, 仕事), something to do.
- Where you'll meet it
- Everyday conversation, with or without です and ます. Not in careful writing.
In use
Yamada isn't in today, is he?
No. Looks like he's off with a cold or something.
Want some tea or something?
Shall we get a coffee or something?
何か said the casual way.
Please write the address on a piece of paper or something.
The particle comes after か何か.
Shall we go for a walk in the park or something?
After a verb, with する.
かどこか, かだれか
For a place it is かどこか, "or somewhere". For a person it is かだれか, "or someone".
I'd like to go to Kyoto or somewhere this weekend.
If you don't get it, try asking the teacher or someone.
Close neighbours
とかN4
Looser and more casual: "things like". In an offer the two come to much the same.
Want some tea or something?
でもN4
"Or something", mostly in invitations, offers and suggestions, polite or casual.
Would you like to have some tea or something?
なんかN4
Straight after a noun, with no か before it, it is "things like": you know what the thing is.
On weekends I watch films and things like that.
Check yourself
1A friend says this to you. What do they want?
ペンか
Choose an answer to see why.
2What is the person speaking sure of?
部長は
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
Let's take some sweets or something.
He's off today. He's caught a cold or something.
Let's go to the beach or something this weekend.