Usage and Nuance
"なんだかんだ" is a colloquial expression used to refer to various reasons, excuses, or things in a somewhat vague or general way. It often implies that despite complications or different opinions, something happens or is true. It can be translated as "this and that," "something or other," or "after all."
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in spoken Japanese to soften statements about multiple factors or to summarize a situation where many small issues or reasons are involved. It can appear at the beginning or middle of sentences.
Collocations and Patterns
- なんだかんだ言う: to say various things, often complaints or excuses.
- なんだかんだで: after all, despite various things.
- なんだかんだ理由をつける: to make various excuses.
Register and Politeness
This phrase is informal and common in everyday conversation. It is not typically used in formal writing or speech.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse なんだかんだ with なんとか (somehow) or なんでも (anything). Remember that なんだかんだ emphasizes multiple reasons or things, not just one vague attempt or anything at all.