というか~というか／～といおうか～といおうか (toiu-ka-toiu-ka): Whether to call it ... or
～というか~というか／～といおうか～といおうか (toiu-ka-toiu-ka)
Meaning
Whether to call it ... or
Formation and usage
plain clause／N + というか + plain clause／N + というか
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Searches for the right description, qualifying an impression rather than choosing an action.
Examples
会議の会場は、静かというか寂しいというか、独特の雰囲気だった。
The venue for the meeting had an unusual atmosphere, quiet or perhaps rather lonely.
試験の会場は、静かというか寂しいというか、独特の雰囲気だった。
The venue for the exam had an unusual atmosphere, quiet or perhaps rather lonely.
研修の会場は、静かというか寂しいというか、独特の雰囲気だった。
The venue for the training session had an unusual atmosphere, quiet or perhaps rather lonely.
発表会の会場は、静かというか寂しいというか、独特の雰囲気だった。
The venue for the presentation event had an unusual atmosphere, quiet or perhaps rather lonely.
面接の会場は、静かというか寂しいというか、独特の雰囲気だった。
The venue for the interview had an unusual atmosphere, quiet or perhaps rather lonely.
How related patterns differ
一方で and 反面 present two sides; にひきかえ highlights a sharp, often evaluative contrast. わりに compares a result with expectations. といい～といい gives representative features, while というか～というか searches for a suitable description.