expression
how should I put it?; what shall I say?; well, you know; like
A filler phrase used when searching for the right words, similar to English 'how should I put it?' or 'you know'. Often used in casual conversation.
なんというか、その映画はちょっと退屈だった。
How should I put it... that movie was a bit boring.
彼は、なんというか、ちょっと変わった人だね。
He's, well, you know, a bit of an odd person.
More colloquial contraction of 何と言うか, with the same meaning and usage.
From 何 (what) + と (quotative particle) + 言う (to say) + か (question particle). Literally 'what to say?', used as a filler phrase.