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〜たり〜たりする

B1 noun 13 Min. Lesezeit

〜たり〜たりする

tari tari suru

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At the A1 level, you are just starting to connect simple ideas. While 'tari tari suru' is usually considered an intermediate (B1) topic, you might encounter it in simple phrases like 'shitarishite' (doing this and that). At this stage, just focus on the idea that Japanese has a special way to say 'and' when you are talking about actions. Instead of just saying 'I eat and sleep,' which uses a different form, 'tari' is like saying 'I do things like eating.' It’s a bit advanced for A1, but knowing that 'tari' means 'example actions' will help you when you see it in textbooks. Most A1 students use the 'te-form' (tabete, nete) to connect actions, which is fine! Just remember that 'tari' is another way to do it when you want to be less specific about the order of things.

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At the A2 level, you begin to learn the 'ta-form' (past tense) of verbs, which is the key to using 'tari'. You can start using this structure to describe your hobbies or weekend activities. For example, 'Walking the dog and cleaning the house.' You learn that you should use at least two 'tari' forms and always end with 'shimasu' or 'shimashita'. This helps you answer the common question 'What did you do?' in a more natural way than just using 'te-form'. You also learn that 'tari' means you did other things too, not just the ones you mentioned. This makes your Japanese sound more humble and less like a robot reading a list. You might also start to see it used with simple i-adjectives like 'atsukattari' (sometimes hot).

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B1 is where you truly master 'tari tari suru'. You should be able to conjugate verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns into the 'tari' form without hesitation. You understand the nuance that this structure provides a non-exhaustive list of representative examples. You can use it to describe fluctuating states, like 'sometimes busy, sometimes free' (isogashikattari hima dattari shimasu). You also learn that the final 'suru' can be conjugated into various forms like 'shite imasu' for ongoing habits or 'shitai desu' for things you want to do. You are now able to distinguish between 'tari' (examples), 'te' (sequence), and 'shi' (reasons). This is a core part of your grammar toolkit for describing daily life and personal experiences in detail.

At the B2 level, you use 'tari tari suru' to express more complex and abstract ideas. You can describe contradictory emotions or complex social situations. For example, 'The relationship was sometimes good and sometimes bad.' You also start to recognize more sophisticated uses, such as using a single 'tari' to imply 'doing things such as...' in a formal or humble context. You might use it in business reports to summarize varied tasks or in academic writing to describe phenomena that exhibit multiple characteristics. Your conjugation is perfect, and you can handle long sentences where 'tari' clauses are embedded within larger structures. You also understand how 'tari' can be used with the negative form (shinakattari) to describe things that sometimes don't happen.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the rhetorical power of 'tari'. You use it to create balance and rhythm in your writing and speech. You might use it in literary analysis or high-level business negotiations to present a nuanced view of a situation that avoids being overly definitive. You understand the historical roots of the 'tari' particle and how it relates to the classical 'tari' auxiliary verb (though they are different). You can use 'tari' with very specific, low-frequency vocabulary to describe intricate processes. You are also sensitive to the 'softening' effect of 'tari' in polite Japanese, where being too direct with 'to' or 'te' might seem aggressive. You can weave multiple 'tari' pairs into a single paragraph to describe a multifaceted reality with ease.

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At the C2 level, 'tari tari suru' is a tool for stylistic mastery. You can use it to mimic various registers, from the archaic to the ultra-modern. You understand the deep linguistic nuances of why 'tari' is used over other structures in specific classical texts or legal documents. You can participate in debates about the 'correct' usage of 'tari' in modern vs. traditional contexts (such as the debate over whether a single 'tari' is grammatically 'correct' in formal writing). Your use of the structure is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, using it to provide exactly the right amount of information and ambiguity. You can use it to describe the most subtle philosophical fluctuations in human thought or the most complex scientific variability with perfect grammatical precision.

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〜たり〜たりする in 30 Sekunden

Used to list representative actions or states among others.
Formed by adding 'ri' to the plain past tense (ta-form).
Always ends with the verb 'suru' to provide tense and politeness.
Implies the list is not exhaustive (doing things like A, B, etc.).

The Japanese grammar structure 〜たり〜たりする (tari tari suru) is a fundamental linguistic tool used to list representative actions or states. Unlike the particle 'to' (and) which implies a complete list, 'tari' suggests that the items mentioned are just examples of a larger set of activities or conditions. For English speakers, it most closely translates to 'doing things like A and B' or 'sometimes A, sometimes B.' It is incredibly versatile, appearing in casual conversations, formal speeches, and literary works to provide a sense of variety and non-exhaustiveness. When you use this structure, you are telling your listener, 'Here are a couple of things I did, but there were other things too that I am not mentioning right now.'

Grammatical Function: It functions as a verbal phrase that groups multiple predicates into a single conceptual activity or state of being.

週末は、本を読んだり、映画を見たりしました。
(Shuumatsu wa, hon o yondari, eiga o mitari shimashita.)
On the weekend, I did things like read books and watch movies.

This structure is particularly useful when you want to describe a period of time without listing every single minute detail. If you say 'Hon o yonde, eiga o mimashita,' it sounds like a chronological sequence: first you read, then you watched. However, using 'tari' suggests a more relaxed, non-sequential overview of your time. It is the hallmark of natural-sounding Japanese, as it avoids the stiffness of exhaustive lists. People use it to describe hobbies, daily routines, fluctuating weather, or even conflicting emotions. For instance, 'Ureshikattari kanashikattari suru' means 'Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm sad,' capturing the ebb and flow of human feelings perfectly.

Nuance of Incompleteness: The 'tari' form explicitly signals that the list is open-ended. It invites the listener to imagine other similar activities.

雨が降ったり、止んだりしています。
(Ame ga futtari, yandari shite imasu.)
It's been raining and stopping (off and on).

In professional settings, it can be used to describe various tasks one handles. 'Mail o kaishitari, uchiawase o shitari shite imasu' (I do things like replying to emails and having meetings). This makes your workload sound varied and dynamic. In casual settings, it’s the default way to answer 'What did you do today?' without sounding like you're reading a police report. It provides a soft, descriptive texture to the language that is essential for reaching intermediate and advanced fluency. Without 'tari tari suru,' Japanese speech often sounds too 'step-by-step' or overly definitive.

Emotional Range: It is frequently used with adjectives to describe fluctuating states, like being busy or free, or hot and cold.

最近は忙しかったり、暇だったりします。
(Saikin wa isogashikattari, hima dattari shimasu.)
Lately, I'm sometimes busy and sometimes free.

Ultimately, master this pattern to move away from simple subject-verb-object sentences and into the realm of descriptive, natural Japanese. It bridges the gap between stating facts and describing experiences. It allows for a certain level of ambiguity that is highly valued in Japanese culture, where being too direct or exhaustive can sometimes be perceived as overwhelming or unnecessary. By using 'tari,' you respect the listener's time while giving them a vivid picture of your reality.

Using 〜たり〜たりする involves a specific conjugation process that is luckily very similar to the 'ta-form' (past tense) of verbs and adjectives. To create the 'tari' form, you simply take the plain past tense form and add 'ri'. This applies to verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns. The final verb 'suru' acts as the syntactic anchor, carrying the tense, aspect, and politeness of the entire sentence. This means that even if you are talking about the past, the individual 'tari' components do not change; only the final 'suru' becomes 'shimashita' or 'shita'.

Verb Conjugation: Verb (Ta-form) + ri. Example: Taberu -> Tabeta -> Tabetari. Nomu -> Nonda -> Nondari.

お酒を飲んだり、歌を歌ったりしました。
(Osake o nondari, uta o utattari shimashita.)
We drank sake, sang songs, and so on.

When working with adjectives, the process is slightly different but follows the same 'past tense + ri' logic. For i-adjectives, change the final 'i' to 'kattari'. For na-adjectives and nouns, use 'dattari'. This allows you to describe shifting states. For example, 'Atsukattari samukattari' (sometimes hot, sometimes cold). This is particularly common when discussing weather, moods, or the quality of something that isn't consistent. It's important to note that you can mix and match types, though usually, people list similar categories (two verbs or two adjectives).

Adjective Conjugation: I-Adj: (Stem) + kattari. Na-Adj/Noun: (Word) + dattari.

この道は静かだったり、賑やかだったりします。
(Kono michi wa shizuka dattari, nigiyaka dattari shimasu.)
This street is sometimes quiet and sometimes lively.

One of the most powerful aspects of this grammar is its ability to handle tense. Since the 'tari' forms are fixed, you only need to change the final 'suru' to reflect when the action happened. For a future plan, use 'shimasu' or 'suru'. For a past event, use 'shimashita' or 'shita'. For a continuous state, use 'shite imasu'. This simplicity makes it a favorite for learners once they master the 'ta-form'. However, be careful not to confuse it with the 'te-form'. While 'te-form' connects actions in a sequence (I did A, then B), 'tari' lists them as general examples (I did things like A and B).

Common Tense Patterns: Past: 〜たり〜たりした。 Present/Future: 〜たり〜たりする。 Continuous: 〜たり〜たりしている。

掃除をしたり、洗濯をしたりしています。
(Souji o shitari, sentaku o shitari shite imasu.)
I'm currently doing things like cleaning and laundry.

In summary, the structure requires two or more 'tari' forms followed by 'suru'. The verbs or adjectives must be in their 'ta-form' before adding 'ri'. This pattern is essential for describing a variety of actions or states without committing to a specific order or an exhaustive list, making your Japanese sound more natural and sophisticated.

The 〜たり〜たりする pattern is ubiquitous in Japanese society, appearing in almost every conceivable context. From the casual banter of teenagers in Shibuya to the formal reports of business executives in Marunouchi, this grammar point is the workhorse of descriptive Japanese. In daily life, you will hear it most often when people are asked about their weekend plans or how they spent their holidays. It allows speakers to give a flavor of their activities without boring the listener with a minute-by-minute itinerary. In this sense, it is a tool for social cohesion, providing enough information to be interesting but not so much as to be tedious.

Daily Conversation: Used to answer 'What did you do?' or 'How are you?' in a descriptive, non-exhaustive way.

「昨日は何してたの？」「うーん、寝たり、ゲームをしたりしてたよ。」
(Kinou wa nani shiteta no? Uun, netari, geemu o shitari shiteta yo.)
'What did you do yesterday?' 'Hmm, I did things like sleep and play games.'

In the business world, 'tari' is used to describe job responsibilities or project statuses. It sounds professional because it acknowledges the complexity of a role. Instead of saying 'I do X and Y,' saying 'I do things like X and Y' suggests that you are capable of handling various tasks as they arise. It is also used in weather forecasts to describe intermittent conditions, such as 'kumottari haretari' (alternating between cloudy and sunny). This usage is so standard that hearing a weather reporter avoid 'tari' would sound quite strange and overly technical.

Media and News: Used to summarize events, describe fluctuating market prices, or report on varied weather patterns.

株価が上がったり、下がったりして不安定です。
(Kabuka ga agattari, sagattari shite fuantei desu.)
Stock prices are unstable, going up and down.

You will also encounter 'tari' in instructional manuals and warning signs. For example, a sign at a pool might say 'Hashittari, tobikondari shinaide kudasai' (Please do not do things like run or dive). Here, the 'tari' implies that other dangerous activities are also prohibited, even if not explicitly listed. This 'representative' function is crucial for legal and safety language in Japan. It covers the 'and such' or 'etc.' nuance that keeps rules comprehensive without being ten pages long. If you are in Japan, look at the posters in train stations; you'll see 'tari' used to discourage various nuisance behaviors.

Public Rules: Used to list examples of prohibited or required actions in public spaces.

館内では、食べたり、飲んだりしないでください。
(Kannai de wa, tabetari, nondari shinaide kudasai.)
Please do not do things like eat or drink inside the building.

Whether you are listening to a podcast, reading a novel, or simply walking down the street, 'tari' is there. It is one of those grammar points that, once you learn it, you start hearing it every five minutes. It is the key to understanding how Japanese people categorize and describe the world around them—not as a series of isolated, complete facts, but as a collection of representative experiences and fluctuating states.

While 〜たり〜たりする is a relatively straightforward pattern, English speakers often fall into a few common traps. The most frequent error is forgetting the final suru. In English, we can just say 'I did A and B,' but in Japanese, the 'tari' forms cannot stand alone to end a sentence. They require the supporting verb 'suru' to finalize the thought and provide the tense. Without 'suru', the sentence sounds incomplete and grammatically broken, like saying 'I doing this, doing that' in English without the 'am' or 'was'.

The Missing 'Suru': Incorrect: Kinou wa kaimono shitari, eiga mitari. (Stop)
Correct: Kinou wa kaimono shitari, eiga mitari shimashita.

❌ 本を読んだり、テレビを見たり。
✅ 本を読んだり、テレビを見たりします。

Another common mistake involves conjugation errors, specifically with na-adjectives and nouns. Learners often forget the 'da' and try to attach 'ri' directly to the word. Remember: 'tari' comes from the past tense. Since the past tense of 'shizuka' is 'shizuka datta', the 'tari' form must be 'shizuka dattari'. Similarly, for nouns, it's 'ame dattari' (sometimes rain), not 'ame tari'. This 'da' is crucial for the grammar to work correctly. For i-adjectives, ensure you don't keep the 'i'; it must change to 'kattari'. 'Samui-tari' is a common but painful error for native ears.

Confusing it with 'Te-form': Using 'tari' when you mean a strict sequence. 'Tari' is for general examples; 'Te' is for 'First A, then B'.

❌ 朝起きたら、顔を洗ったり、朝ご飯を食べたりします。
(This sounds like you randomly wash your face or eat at various times.)
✅ 朝起きたら、顔を洗って、朝ご飯を食べます。
(This sounds like a normal morning sequence.)

There is also the 'tense matching' mistake. Some learners try to put the first 'tari' into the past tense and the second into the present, or vice versa, to show time passing. This is incorrect. Both (or all) 'tari' forms in a list should be identical in their 'ri' ending. The time/tense is only indicated once at the very end of the sentence. For example, 'Yondari mitari shita' (read and watched) is correct. 'Yondari mitai shita' or 'Yondari mitari suru shita' are all incorrect. Consistency within the list is key.

Overuse for Exhaustive Lists: Don't use 'tari' if you are listing the only two things you did. Use 'to' or 'te-form' for complete lists.

❌ プレゼントは、本だったり、花だったりします。
(If the gifts are ONLY a book and a flower, this is weird.)
✅ プレゼントは、本と花です。
(The gifts are a book and a flower.)

Finally, remember that 'tari' implies variety. If you only use it for a single activity, it can sound like you're being vague on purpose, which is fine, but make sure that's your intention. In most cases, a pair of 'tari' forms is the standard. By avoiding these pitfalls—the missing 'suru', the wrong adjective conjugation, and the confusion with chronological sequences—you will use 'tari tari suru' like a pro.

In Japanese, there are several ways to connect ideas and list items, each with its own subtle shade of meaning. Understanding how 〜たり〜たりする differs from alternatives like 〜て〜て (te-form), 〜し〜し (shi-form), and particles like 〜や (ya) is essential for nuanced communication. While they all 'connect' things, the relationship between the items and the speaker's intent varies significantly. 'Tari' is the 'representative example' connector, whereas others focus on sequence, reasoning, or simple noun listing.

Comparison: 〜たり vs. 〜て (Te-form): 'Te' implies a chronological sequence (First A, then B). 'Tari' implies a non-sequential, representative list (Doing things like A and B).

Te-form: ご飯を食べて、寝ました。 (I ate, then I slept.)
Tari-form: ご飯を食べたり、寝たりしました。 (I did things like eat and sleep.)

Another common alternative is the 〜し (shi) structure. While 'tari' lists activities or states as examples, 'shi' is often used to list reasons or contributing factors leading to a conclusion. If you say 'Kirei da shi, yasui shi...' you are usually building a case for why you want to buy something. 'Tari' is more descriptive of the state itself rather than the logic behind a decision. Furthermore, 'shi' can end a sentence more easily than 'tari', which absolutely needs 'suru'.

Comparison: 〜たり vs. 〜し (Shi-form): 'Shi' lists multiple reasons or features. 'Tari' lists multiple example actions or fluctuating states.

Shi-form: 安いし、美味しいです。 (It's cheap, and (what's more) it's delicious.)
Tari-form: 美味しかったり、まずかったりします。 (Sometimes it's delicious, sometimes it's bad.)

For nouns, you might consider the particle 〜とか (toka). 'Toka' is very similar to 'tari' in that it lists examples, but 'toka' is more casual and is primarily used with nouns or short phrases. 'Tari' is more grammatically structured and is the standard way to handle verbs and adjectives. In casual speech, you might hear 'kaimono toka, eiga toka shita' instead of 'kaimono shitari, eiga mitari shita'. While the meaning is nearly identical, 'tari' remains the more 'proper' and versatile grammatical construction for broader use.

Summary Table of Alternatives

〜たり: Representative actions/states (verbs/adj).
〜て: Sequential actions (verbs/adj).
〜し: Multiple reasons/features (verbs/adj).
〜や: Incomplete list of nouns.
〜とか: Casual examples (mostly nouns).

Ya-particle: 本や雑誌を買いました。 (I bought books, magazines, etc.)
Toka-particle: 映画とか見に行こう。 (Let's go see a movie or something.)

Choosing the right connector changes the entire feel of your sentence. If you want to sound like you're giving a well-rounded, descriptive overview of activities or fluctuating conditions, 'tari tari suru' is your best choice. It provides a level of descriptive depth that simple 'and' connectors cannot match, allowing you to paint a picture of a varied and dynamic reality.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In very old Japanese, 'tari' was actually a way of saying 'is' (similar to 'desu' today). You can still see this in formal titles like 'Gunjin tari mono' (One who is a soldier).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /tari tari suru/

US /tɑri tɑri suru/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. 'Tari' usually has a flat or low-high pitch depending on the verb it attaches to.

Reimt sich auf

Bakari Hikari Akaru Shikkari Yukkuri Sappari Ukkari Gakkari

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'tari' as 'tarry' (like the English word).
Over-emphasizing the 'r' sound like an English 'r'.
Making the 'a' sound like the 'a' in 'cat'.
Stressing the 'ri' syllable too much.
Drawing out the final 'u' in 'suru' too long.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 'ri' pattern.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires correct 'ta-form' conjugation for various word types.

Sprechen 4/5

Takes practice to use 'suru' consistently at the end.

Hören 3/5

Can be confused with 'tara' (if) if not careful.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

する (suru) た形 (ta-form) と (to) や (ya) て形 (te-form)

Als Nächstes lernen

〜ながら (nagara) 〜し (shi) 〜とか (toka) 〜だの〜だの (dano dano) 〜なり〜なり (nari nari)

Fortgeschritten

Classical 'tari' auxiliary 〜つ〜つ (tsu tsu) 〜につけ〜につけ (ni tsuke)

Wichtige Grammatik

Ta-form conjugation

Taberu -> Tabeta

Noun + dattari

Ame dattari shimasu

Adjective + kattari

Atsukattari shimasu

Final suru conjugation

〜たりしました (Past)

Single tari usage

本を読んだりします (One example)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

本を読んだりします。

I do things like read books.

Single 'tari' implies 'doing things like this'.

テレビを見たり、ゲームをしたりします。

I watch TV and play games (among other things).

Standard double 'tari' for listing examples.

掃除をしたりしました。

I did things like cleaning.

Past tense is shown by 'shimashita'.

歌を歌ったり、踊ったりします。

I sing and dance (among other things).

Lists two fun activities.

お茶を飲んだり、お菓子を食べたりしました。

We did things like drink tea and eat sweets.

Uses 'nondari' and 'tabetari'.

散歩したり、買い物をしたりします。

I take walks and go shopping.

Lists two common daily activities.

勉強したり、音楽を聞いたりしました。

I studied and listened to music.

Shows a mix of work and relaxation.

写真を撮ったりします。

I do things like take photos.

Describes a hobby simply.

週末は、映画を見たり、友達と遊んだりします。

On weekends, I do things like watch movies and hang out with friends.

Common way to describe weekend plans.

昨日は雨が降ったり、止んだりしました。

Yesterday, it rained and stopped (off and on).

Describes alternating weather.

夏休みは、海に行ったり、山に登ったりしたいです。

During summer vacation, I want to do things like go to the sea and climb mountains.

'Shitai' (want to do) is used at the end.

料理を作ったり、皿を洗ったりします。

I cook and wash dishes (among other things).

Lists household chores.

日本語を話したり、書いたりするのは楽しいです。

Doing things like speaking and writing Japanese is fun.

'No' turns the whole phrase into a noun.

ピアノを弾いたり、ギターを弾いたりできます。

I can do things like play the piano and play the guitar.

'Dekimasu' (can do) is used at the end.

公園で走ったり、休んだりしました。

I ran and rested in the park.

Contrasting actions in the same location.

デパートで靴を買ったり、服を見たりしました。

I bought shoes and looked at clothes at the department store.

Specific actions during shopping.

最近は忙しかったり、暇だったりします。

Lately, I'm sometimes busy and sometimes free.

Uses i-adjective and na-adjective together.

テストの結果が良かったり、悪かったりします。

Test results are sometimes good and sometimes bad.

Describes fluctuating quality/results.

このレストランは、賑やかだったり、静かだったりします。

This restaurant is sometimes lively and sometimes quiet.

Uses two na-adjectives with 'dattari'.

仕事でメールを書いたり、会議に出たりしています。

I'm doing things like writing emails and attending meetings for work.

'Shite imasu' shows ongoing job duties.

気分によって、外に出たかったり、家にいたかったりします。

Depending on my mood, I sometimes want to go out and sometimes want to stay home.

Uses 'tai' (want) conjugated into 'tari'.

物価が上がったり、下がったりして困ります。

Prices go up and down, which is a problem.

The 'te-form' of 'suru' connects to the final feeling.

彼は嘘をついたり、本当のことを言ったりします。

He sometimes tells lies and sometimes tells the truth.

Describes inconsistent behavior.

週末は家でゴロゴロしたり、散歩したりして過ごします。

I spend my weekends doing things like lounging at home and taking walks.

'Sugoshimasu' (to spend time) follows the 'tari' phrase.

その日の体調によって、頭が痛かったり、体がだるかったりします。

Depending on my physical condition that day, I sometimes have a headache or feel sluggish.

Describes various physical symptoms.

日本の冬は、場所によって雪が降ったり、晴れたりします。

In the Japanese winter, depending on the location, it either snows or is sunny.

Describes geographical weather differences.

新しい環境では、不安だったり、楽しみだったりするものです。

In a new environment, it's natural to feel both anxious and excited.

'Mono desu' indicates a general truth or tendency.

プログラミングは、エラーが出たり、うまく動いたりして一喜一憂します。

In programming, you go through ups and downs as errors occur or things work well.

'Ikkiiyuu' (alternating joy and sorrow) fits 'tari' perfectly.

将来について、考えたり、考えなかったりしています。

I'm sometimes thinking about the future and sometimes not.

Uses positive and negative forms of the same verb.

人前で話すときは、緊張したり、早口になったりしがちです。

When speaking in public, people tend to get nervous and speak quickly.

'Shigachi' (tending to do) works well with 'tari'.

この仕事は、やりがいがあったり、大変だったりします。

This job is both rewarding and difficult.

Contrasts positive and negative aspects of a job.

都会の生活は、便利だったり、うるさかったりしますね。

City life is convenient but can also be noisy, right?

A common observation about urban living.

市場の動向は、複雑な要因が絡み合ったり、予期せぬ事態が起きたりして予測が困難だ。

Market trends are difficult to predict because complex factors intertwine and unexpected events occur.

Uses formal 'da' and high-level vocabulary.

作家は、言葉を選んだり、削ったりしながら、一冊の本を書き上げる。

A writer completes a book while choosing and cutting words.

'Nagara' (while) follows the 'tari' sequence.

伝統を守ったり、新しい技術を取り入れたりするバランスが重要です。

The balance between preserving tradition and adopting new technology is important.

Discusses a sophisticated conceptual balance.

人生には、チャンスを掴んだり、逃したりする瞬間が何度もある。

In life, there are many moments where one either seizes or misses an opportunity.

Philosophical use describing the nature of life.

彼は、優しかったり、冷たかったりして、掴みどころのない性格だ。

He is sometimes kind and sometimes cold; he has an elusive personality.

'Tsukamidokoro no nai' (elusive) describes the 'tari' state.

科学の進歩は、人類に恩恵をもたらしたり、脅威を与えたりする可能性がある。

Scientific progress has the potential to both benefit and threaten humanity.

Formal discussion of potential outcomes.

政治の世界では、協力したり、対立したりするのが常である。

In the world of politics, it is common to both cooperate and conflict.

Describes typical patterns in a specific field.

旅先では、道に迷ったり、現地の人と交流したりするのも醍醐味の一つだ。

Getting lost and interacting with locals are among the real pleasures of traveling.

Uses 'daigomi' (the real pleasure/zest) to summarize.

言語というものは、時代と共に変遷したり、淘汰されたりする宿命にある。

Language is destined to transition or be weeded out over time.

Highly academic and philosophical tone.

国家間の関係は、同盟を強固にしたり、外交的圧力を強めたりといった駆け引きの連続である。

Relations between nations are a continuous series of maneuvers, such as strengthening alliances or increasing diplomatic pressure.

Uses 'to itta' to categorize the 'tari' examples.

芸術作品は、見る者の心情を映し出したり、新たな視点を提供したりする鏡のような存在だ。

A work of art is like a mirror that reflects the viewer's emotions or provides new perspectives.

Deep metaphorical use of the grammar structure.

経済政策は、インフレを抑制したり、雇用を創出したりする多面的なアプローチが求められる。

Economic policy requires a multifaceted approach, such as suppressing inflation and creating employment.

Discusses complex policy requirements.

人間の脳は、情報を処理したり、感情を制御したりする驚異的なメカニズムを備えている。

The human brain possesses an astounding mechanism for processing information and controlling emotions.

Scientific description of biological functions.

法制度は、社会の秩序を維持したり、個人の権利を保護したりするために不可欠である。

Legal systems are indispensable for maintaining social order and protecting individual rights.

Formal statement on the necessity of law.

歴史を紐解けば、文明が興隆したり、衰退したりする周期が確認できる。

If one examines history, cycles of the rise and fall of civilizations can be identified.

Discusses historical cycles and patterns.

環境保護活動は、啓蒙活動を行ったり、具体的な保全策を講じたりと、多岐にわたる。

Environmental protection activities are diverse, ranging from awareness campaigns to implementing specific conservation measures.

Describes the broad scope of a field of activity.

Häufige Kollokationen

行ったり来たりする

上がったり下がったりする

出たり入ったりする

泣いたり笑ったりする

食べたり飲んだりする

読んだり書いたりする

晴れたり曇ったりする

忙しかったり暇だったりする

寝たり起きたりする

良かったり悪かったりする

Häufige Phrasen

〜たりして

— Used at the end of a sentence to suggest a possibility or joke. It implies 'Maybe you're doing something like...' or 'Just kidding, or something like that.'

怒ってたりして。(Maybe you're angry or something?)

〜たりなんだり

— A colloquial way to say 'doing this and that' or 'etcetera'. It adds a vague, casual feel.

掃除したりなんだりして一日が終わった。(The day ended with cleaning and whatnot.)

行ったり来たり

— Going back and forth. Can be physical movement or indecisiveness.

考えが行ったり来たりする。(My thoughts are going back and forth.)

〜たりすることもある

— There are times when [Action] happens. Emphasizes that it's not always the case.

失敗したりすることもあります。(There are also times when I fail.)

〜たりしてはいけない

— Must not do things like [Action]. Used for general prohibitions.

ここで騒いだりしてはいけません。(You must not do things like make a noise here.)

〜たりして過ごす

— To spend time doing things like [Action].

本を読んだりして過ごしました。(I spent time doing things like reading.)

〜たりして助かる

— To be helpful by doing things like [Action].

手伝ってくれたりして助かりました。(It was helpful that you did things like helping me.)

〜たりして楽しむ

— To enjoy oneself by doing things like [Action].

歌ったりして楽しみました。(We had fun doing things like singing.)

〜たりして驚く

— To be surprised by things like [Action].

急に雨が降ったりして驚いた。(I was surprised by things like it suddenly raining.)

〜たりして困る

— To be troubled by things like [Action].

電車が遅れたりして困った。(I was troubled by things like the train being late.)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜て、〜て

Te-form is for sequence; Tari-form is for non-sequential examples.

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜し、〜し

Shi-form is for reasons/features; Tari-form is for representative actions/states.

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜とか、〜とか

Toka is more casual and mostly for nouns; Tari is more grammatical and for verbs/adjectives.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"踏んだり蹴ったり"

— To have one bad thing happen after another; 'to add insult to injury'. Literally 'being stepped on and kicked'.

財布を忘れた上に雨に降られて、踏んだり蹴ったりだ。

Idiomatic/Casual

"似たり寄ったり"

— Much the same; six of one and half a dozen of the other. Literally 'resembling and approaching'.

二人の意見は似たり寄ったりだ。

Common/Idiomatic

"浮き沈みしたり"

— To have ups and downs (in life or fortune).

人生は浮き沈みしたりするものだ。

Metaphorical

"二転三転したり"

— To change repeatedly; to keep shifting (of a situation or story).

話が二転三転したりして混乱した。

Descriptive

"一進一退したり"

— To ebb and flow; to advance and retreat (often used for illnesses or battles).

病状が一進一退したりしている。

Formal/Medical

"試行錯誤したり"

— To go through trial and error.

試行錯誤したりして、ようやく完成した。

Professional

"紆余曲折したり"

— To have many twists and turns (in a process).

紆余曲折したりしたが、無事に終わった。

Formal

"四苦八苦したり"

— To struggle hard; to be in dire distress.

新しいソフトの使い方に四苦八苦したりした。

Common

"自画自賛したり"

— To praise oneself; to blow one's own horn.

自分で作った料理を自画自賛したりしている。

Slightly Negative

"切磋琢磨したり"

— To cultivate one's mind or skills by working hard together.

仲間と切磋琢磨したりして成長した。

Positive/Inspirational

Leicht verwechselbar

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜だの〜だの

Both list examples.

'Dano' has a negative, complaining nuance, while 'tari' is neutral.

休みだの何だの言っている。(He's complaining about holidays and whatnot.)

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜なり〜なり

Both list options.

'Nari' implies 'either A or B' as a suggestion; 'tari' is just 'doing A and B'.

煮るなり焼くなり好きにしろ。(Boil it or bake it, do as you like.)

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜やら〜やら

Both list items.

'Yara' implies a sense of confusion or being overwhelmed by the variety.

ゴミやら何やらで散らかっている。(It's cluttered with trash and whatnot.)

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜つ〜つ

Both list alternating actions.

'Tsu' is literary and used for specific pairs like 'pushing and pulling'.

押しつ押されつの人混み。(A crowd pushing and being pushed.)

〜たり〜たりする vs 〜にしろ〜にしろ

Both list cases.

'Ni shiro' means 'whether it's A or B'; 'tari' is 'sometimes A, sometimes B'.

行くにしろ行かないにしろ、連絡して。(Whether you go or not, contact me.)

Satzmuster

[Verb 1 Ta-form]り、[Verb 2 Ta-form]りします。

本を読んだり、テレビを見たりします。

[Adj 1 Past]り、[Adj 2 Past]りします。

暑かったり、寒かったりします。

[Noun 1]だったり、[Noun 2]だったりします。

肉だったり、魚だったりします。

〜たり、〜たりして、[Result]。

雨が降ったり、風が吹いたりして、大変でした。

〜たり、〜たりすることもある。

一人で旅行したりすることもある。

〜たり、〜たりといった[Noun]。

掃除したり、料理したりといった家事。

〜たり、〜たりしながら、〜。

悩んだり、迷ったりしながら、進んでいる。

〜たり、〜たりするのが、〜の醍醐味だ。

失敗したり、成功したりするのが、人生の醍醐味だ。

Wortfamilie

Verben

する (suru) - To do

した (shita) - Did

します (shimasu) - Do (polite)

しました (shimashita) - Did (polite)

Verwandt

〜たりして (tari shite)

〜だの〜だの (dano dano)

〜とか〜とか (toka toka)

〜や〜など (ya nado)

〜なり〜なり (nari nari)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in daily Japanese.

Häufige Fehler

Kinou wa kaimono shitari, eiga mitari. → Kinou wa kaimono shitari, eiga mitari shimashita.
You must end the sentence with a form of 'suru'. 'Tari' alone is incomplete.
Samui-tari shimasu. → Samukattari shimasu.
I-adjectives must use the past tense stem 'kattari'.
Ame-tari shimasu. → Ame dattari shimasu.
Nouns require 'dattari' (past tense 'datta' + 'ri').
Asa okitari, kao o araitari shimasu. → Asa okite, kao o araimasu.
Don't use 'tari' for a fixed morning sequence. Use 'te-form' for chronological order.
Tabetari, nondari shita. → Tabetari, nondari shita.
Wait, this is correct! The mistake would be 'Tabetari, nondari suru shita' or mixing tenses in the list.

Tipps

Master the Ta-form

Since 'tari' is based on the past tense, your 'tari' forms will only be as good as your 'ta-form' conjugations. Practice 'ta-form' regularly!

Don't be too specific

Use 'tari' when you want to give a general idea. If you list every single thing you did with 'tari', it defeats the purpose of the 'representative' nuance.

End with Shimasu

Always remember the final 'shimasu' or 'shimashita' in polite company. It's the most common mistake for beginners.

Use for Fluctuations

It's perfect for describing things that change, like weather or moods. 'Atsukattari samukattari' is a very natural phrase.

Listen for the Pattern

Native speakers use 'tari' very frequently. Once you start hearing the '...tari, ...tari' rhythm, you'll find it easier to follow long descriptions.

Keep it Balanced

Usually, two 'tari' forms create a nice rhythmic balance in a sentence. Try to pair them up.

Ittari Kitari

Memorize 'Ittari kitari' (going back and forth) as a set phrase. It's used for both physical movement and changing your mind.

Noun + Dattari

Remember the 'da' in 'dattari' for nouns and na-adjectives. 'Gakusei-tari' is wrong; 'Gakusei-dattari' is right.

Business Usage

In business, use 'tari' to describe your varied responsibilities. it makes you sound versatile.

Natural Flow

Using 'tari' makes your Japanese sound less like a textbook and more like a real person. It adds 'texture' to your speech.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Tari' as 'Two-ry' (Two or more examples). You are giving a 'Tarry' (representative) list of what you did.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a buffet table. You aren't eating everything, you are just picking a 'tari' (taco) and a 'tari' (tamale) as examples of what's there.

Word Web

Verbs Adjectives Examples Fluctuation Representative Non-exhaustive Ta-form Suru

Herausforderung

Try to describe your morning using at least three 'tari' forms. Make sure you use the correct past tense stem for each verb!

Wortherkunft

The 'tari' form originates from the Classical Japanese auxiliary verb 'tari', which was used to indicate a completed state or a continuing state. However, the modern 'tari' used for listing examples evolved separately from the 'te-ari' contraction.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: In classical contexts, 'tari' often meant 'is' or 'has been', but its function shifted over centuries to become a listing particle.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

There are no major sensitivities, but using 'tari' for serious, singular tragic events can sound dismissive. Use with care in very somber contexts.

English speakers often struggle with 'tari' because they want to use 'and' (to) or 'then' (te-form). Understanding that 'tari' is about 'examples' is the key shift.

The song 'Odori' by Vaundy uses repetitive structures similar to listing actions. Commonly found in 'Seikatsu' (Daily Life) sections of Japanese language proficiency tests. Used frequently in the 'Crayon Shin-chan' anime to describe his chaotic antics.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Describing Hobbies

映画を見たりします
本を読んだりします
音楽を聞いたりします
スポーツをしたりします

Weather Reports

雨が降ったり止んだり
晴れたり曇ったり
暑かったり寒かったり
風が吹いたり

Daily Routine

掃除をしたり洗濯をしたり
料理を作ったり
仕事をしたり
勉強したり

Fluctuating Emotions

嬉しかったり悲しかったり
不安だったり
緊張したり
驚いたり

Business Tasks

メールを返したり
会議に出たり
資料を作ったり
電話したり

Gesprächseinstiege

"週末は何をしたりして過ごしましたか？ (What did you do over the weekend?)"

"最近は忙しかったりしますか？ (Have you been busy lately?)"

"日本に来て、驚いたりしたことはありますか？ (Is there anything that surprised you since coming to Japan?)"

"暇な時は、どんなことをしたりしますか？ (What kind of things do you do when you are free?)"

"仕事では、主にどんなことをしたりしていますか？ (What kind of things do you mainly do at work?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日一日の出来事を「〜たり〜たり」を使って書いてみましょう。 (Write about your day using tari-tari.)

あなたの趣味について、具体的な例を挙げて説明してください。 (Explain your hobbies giving specific examples.)

最近の天気の変化についてどう感じますか？ (How do you feel about the recent changes in weather?)

将来やりたいことをいくつかリストアップしてみましょう。 (List several things you want to do in the future.)

子供の頃の思い出を「〜たり〜たり」を使って思い出してみましょう。 (Recall childhood memories using tari-tari.)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, you can. Using a single 'tari' implies 'doing things like [Action] (among others).' It's a common way to be vague or humble about your activities. For example: 'Kaimono ni ittari shimashita' (I did things like go shopping).

In grammatically correct Japanese, yes. The 'tari' forms are not sentence-ending forms. In very casual speech, people might end with 'tari...' and trail off, but it's technically incomplete.

You must use 'dattari'. For example, 'Ame dattari, yuki dattari shimasu' (It's sometimes rain, sometimes snow). Don't forget the 'da'!

'Te-form' implies a sequence (A then B). 'Tari' implies examples (A and B among others, in no particular order).

Yes, it is possible, though usually people list similar categories. For example: 'Isogashikattari, kaimono ni ittari shimasu' (I'm busy, and I go shopping, etc.).

Two is the standard. Three is also common. Four or more starts to feel a bit heavy and repetitive, so it's best to limit it.

Yes, but you would use a formal version of 'suru' like 'itashimasu' or 'shimasu'. It is very common in reports and news.

You can use the negative 'ta-form' (nakatta) + 'ri'. For example: 'Benkyou shinakattari shimasu' (Sometimes I don't study).

Yes, by ending the sentence with 'shite imasu'. For example: 'Souji o shitari, sentaku o shitari shite imasu' (I'm currently doing cleaning and laundry).

Often, yes. It can imply a habit or a fluctuating state that happens over and over again.

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