Translation guide
In Japanese, the English placeholder 'so-and-so' is usually expressed by context-specific strategies rather than a single fixed word. The most common approach is to use a demonstrative placeholder, a name/title, or to omit the reference entirely when the context makes it clear.
The speaker wants to refer to a person without specifying their name, similar to 'what's-his-name' or 'so-and-so' in English.
A common casual placeholder for a person whose name you can't recall or don't need to specify. Used like 'what's-his-name' or 'so-and-so'.
昨日、誰それに会ったよ。
I ran into so-and-so yesterday.
A formal or written placeholder meaning 'a certain person' or 'so-and-so'. Often used in official contexts or when the identity is intentionally concealed.
某氏がその会議に出席した。
A certain person (so-and-so) attended the meeting.
A generic placeholder for a name or word you can't remember, similar to 'whatchamacallit'. Can be used for people, places, or things.
In Japanese, it's often more natural to use a generic title or a made-up name like 山田さん (Yamada-san) as a placeholder, especially in examples or hypothetical situations.
例えば、山田さんが来たとします。
For example, suppose so-and-so (Mr. Yamada) comes.
The speaker wants to refer to an object, idea, or word without specifying it, like 'something-or-other' or 'whatchamacallit'.
A versatile placeholder for a thing, name, or concept you can't quite recall. Similar to 'something-or-other' or 'whatchamacallit'.
あの何とかっていう店、知ってる？
Do you know that so-and-so shop?
Used as a placeholder for a word or phrase you can't remember or don't need to specify. Can be used for things, names, or places.
In written or formal contexts, 某 can also be used for things or places, meaning 'a certain...' or 'so-and-so'.
某所で会議が行われた。
A meeting was held at a certain place (so-and-so place).
The speaker is quoting or paraphrasing someone and uses 'so-and-so' to replace a specific name or detail.
A common pattern for listing examples vaguely, similar to 'so-and-so and such-and-such'. It implies there are other similar things.
彼は「誰それに会った」とか「何々をした」とか言っていた。
He was saying things like 'I met so-and-so' and 'I did such-and-such'.
In Japanese, if the context makes the reference clear, you can simply omit the placeholder and let the sentence structure imply an unspecified person or thing.
誰かが来たけど、名前は忘れた。
Someone (so-and-so) came, but I forgot their name.
English 'so-and-so' doesn't have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using a literal translation like そうとそう would be unnatural. Instead, choose a placeholder based on whether you're referring to a person, thing, or concept, and the level of formality.
✗ そうとそうに会った。
I met so-and-so. (unnatural)
誰それ (daresore) is casual and specifically for people. 何とか (nantoka) is casual and for things/concepts. 某 (bō) is formal/written and can be used for people, places, or things, often implying intentional concealment.
There was a call from Mr./Ms. So-and-so.
The document said so-and-so.