と言おうか
How to put it, How shall I put it, How should I put it, Or perhaps, Or maybe, Call it … or
Structure
where A and B can be Noun, い [Adjective], な [Adjective] or Verb
Explanation
と言おうか is a grammatical structure formed by combining the quotation particle と, the volitional form of the う-Verb 言う (言おう, 'let's say'), and the adverbial particle か, which indicates a question within a sentence. It can be translated as 'or should I say', 'I'm not sure if it's (A) or (B)', or 'how should I put this'. A more literal take is 'shall I say (A), or shall I say (B)'.
This pattern is used twice to present two different, often conflicting, ways of describing something. The speaker uses it to show they are contemplating the best way to phrase their thoughts. Like other uses of the quotation particle と, it can follow various parts of speech.
- また友達がサプライズパーティーを開いてくれた。うれしいと言おうか、驚いたと言おうか、心の準備ができていなかった。My friends threw me a surprise party again. I'm not sure if I was happy or just shocked... I really wasn't prepared for it.
- 彼の部屋は汚いと言おうか、物が多すぎると言おうか、とにかく足の踏み場もない。His room is, how should I put it, messy, or maybe just cluttered... In any case, there's no room to even step.
- いつもみんなの分まで払うなんて、気前がいいと言おうか、おせっかいと言おうか、よく分からない人だ。He always pays for everyone. I can't tell if he's generous or just meddlesome. I really don't get him.
- この料理は、スープと言おうか、シチューと言おうか、どちらとも言えるような味わいだ。I'm not sure whether to call this dish a soup or a stew; its flavor could be described as either.
While と言うか is a more common and often interchangeable alternative, と言おうか carries a slightly more emphatic or dramatic nuance. Because of this, it may sound a bit stiff or out of place in very casual, everyday conversation.
と言おうか is frequently used when a speaker is being purposefully vague, especially when they want to hint at something without stating it directly. This is often done to soften a negative opinion or observation.
- この新しいスマホは、デザインが古いと言おうか、機能が微妙と言おうか…。（正直、あまり売れないだろう）Should I say the design of this new smartphone is dated, or that its features are just so-so... (Honestly, I don't think it's going to sell well.)
Examples
あの新入社員は真面目といおうか、少し頭が硬いといおうか、なかなか冗談が通じない。
That new employee, how shall I put it, is diligent, or perhaps a bit inflexible; it's hard to get a joke across to them.
Ａ：「このデザート、どんな味？」
Ｂ：「うーん、甘いといおうか、酸っぱいといおうか… とにかく独特でおいしいよ。」
A: 'What does this dessert taste like?'
B: 'Hmm, how should I describe it, it's sweet, or maybe sour... In any case, it's unique and delicious.'
やっとレポートが終わった。ホッとしたといおうか、達成感がないといおうか、変な気持ちだ。
I've finally finished the report. How shall I put it, I'm relieved, or perhaps I just lack a sense of accomplishment... It's a strange feeling.
今の仕事は、趣味といおうか、本業といおうか、自分でもよくわからない位置づけなんだ。
My current work, how should I describe it, is it a hobby or my main profession? I'm not even sure how to categorize it myself.
彼の言うことは、親切といおうかお節介といおうか、時々どっちか分からなくなる。
His words, how can I put it, are they kind or meddlesome? Sometimes I can't tell the difference.
宝くじに当たったんだ。驚いたといおうか、信じられないといおうか… とにかく心臓がドキドキしたよ。
I won the lottery. How should I put it, I was shocked, or perhaps just in disbelief... In any case, my heart was pounding.