Kotomora
JLPT N4ConstructionSpoken
Furigana

ってかんIt feels like; kind of

ってかん is a casual way to give your overall impression, describe something approximately, or sum up its general gist. Depending on context, it can mean “it feels like,” “kind of,” or “basically.”

How it works

The connector って presents the preceding words as the content or label of an impression, and かん points to the overall result. The speaker is not usually giving a precise definition; they are sketching the general look, type, atmosphere, or gist.

From an impression to a summary

The material before the target can be a short description, a full clause, or the conclusion of a longer story.

まどおおきくて、ぜんたいあかるくてかいほうてきってかん

The windows are large, and the place feels bright and open overall.

Analyze

This gives an overall visual impression rather than a formal description.

あのひとしずかだけど、ひつようなときはたよれるってかん

That person is quiet, but seems like someone you can count on when needed.

Analyze

A full clause loosely characterizes the person.

けっきょくぜんいんていわなくて、りょこうらいげつえんになったってかん

So basically, nobody's schedules matched, and the trip got postponed until next month.

Analyze

Here the phrase wraps up the general outcome of a longer account.

A deliberately loose ending

At the end of a sentence, ってかん avoids making the description sound too exact. Endings such as かな or だね can make it even more tentative or invite the listener to recognize the same impression.

Checking a shared impression

A

このあつまり、みんなでがるはなすってかんだね。

This gathering is basically for everyone to chat casually, right?

Analyze
B

うん、かたかいじゃないね。

Right, it isn't a formal meeting.

Analyze

Speaker A offers a loose characterization and invites agreement rather than defining the event precisely.

Loose characterization or active reformulation?

ってかん loosely characterizes the result or closes a thought. By contrast, というか ... というか explicitly searches between two possible ways of phrasing something.

More examples

今日きょうかいは、ほぼかおわせってかんじだった

Today's meeting was basically just an introductory get-together.

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かれまえるより、みんなをうしろからささえるってかん

Rather than taking center stage, he's the type who supports everyone from behind.

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このバッグ、ちいさいけどがいはいるってかん

This bag looks small, but it actually holds a surprising amount.

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あめつよくなくて、ずっとこまかくってるってかん

The rain isn't heavy; it's more like a fine drizzle that keeps falling.

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ごとわってからすこんで、じゅうにはかえるってかんじかな

I'm thinking I'll have a quick drink after work and head home by ten.

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部屋へやぜんたいしろくて、ちょっとホテルってかんじだね

The whole room is white, so it has a bit of a hotel feel.

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