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〜たり〜たり

B1 conjunction #1,200 most common 7 min read

〜たり〜たり

Do things like... and... (e.g., 食べたり飲んだり - eating and drinking).

tari tari Top 1,200

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to connect ideas. You might know how to say 'I eat' (tabemasu) and 'I drink' (nomimasu). The 〜たり〜たり structure is a bit advanced for A1, but you can think of it as a way to say 'and' for actions. Instead of just saying one thing, you can say two things you did. For example, 'I watched TV and read a book.' In Japanese, we use the past form of the verb and add 'ri'. So 'mita' (watched) becomes 'mitari'. Then you add another one, like 'yonda' (read) which becomes 'yondari'. Finally, you must say 'shimashita' at the end. It's like a sandwich: Verb-tari + Verb-tari + shimashita. This helps you describe your day more clearly to your teacher or friends. Even if you only use it for simple verbs like 'eat', 'drink', 'see', and 'go', it will make your Japanese sound much better. Don't worry about the complex rules yet; just focus on the 'Verb-tari, Verb-tari shimashita' pattern for things you did in the past. It's a great way to start building longer sentences and moving beyond simple one-action statements.

At the A2 level, you should be comfortable with the 'ta-form' (past tense) of verbs, which is essential for using 〜たり〜たり. You can use this grammar to describe your hobbies, your weekend, or your daily routine. The key thing to remember at this level is that 〜たり〜たり does not mean the actions happened in a specific order. If you say 'kattari, tabetari shimashita,' it doesn't necessarily mean you bought it first and then ate it; it just means those are two things you did. This is different from the 'te-form' you learned earlier. Also, at A2, you can start using this with simple i-adjectives. For example, if you want to say the weather was 'sometimes hot and sometimes cold,' you can say 'atsukattari samukattari shimashita.' This adds more variety to your descriptions. Always remember the final 'suru' or 'shimasu'! It's the most common mistake for A2 learners to leave it out. Practice by writing about your last vacation and picking two or three main activities to connect with 〜たり. This will help you bridge the gap between simple sentences and more natural, flowing Japanese speech.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 〜たり〜たり naturally in conversation and writing. You should understand that this form provides a non-exhaustive list of representative actions. This means when you use it, you are implying that you did other things as well, but these are the ones you chose to mention. You should also be able to use it with all types of words: verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns. For example, describing a person's personality: 'Sometimes they are kind, sometimes they are strict' (yasashikattari kibishikattari suru). You should also be aware of the 'tari shite' ending in casual speech, which can mean 'doing things like...' or 'maybe...'. At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse 〜たり with other listing particles like 'ya' or 'toka'. Use 'tari' for actions and states, and 'ya/toka' for objects. You can also use it to describe fluctuating situations, like 'the price goes up and down' (agattari sagattari suru). Mastering this grammar allows you to give more nuanced and descriptive answers to open-ended questions, which is a key skill for the B1 level and the JLPT N3 exam.

At the B2 level, you should use 〜たり〜たり with precision and understand its stylistic implications. You can use it to create a specific atmosphere in your writing or to describe complex, alternating states. For example, you might use it to describe the conflicting emotions of a character in a story: 'They felt happy one moment and sad the next' (ureshikattari kanashikattari shite ita). You should also be comfortable using it in more formal contexts, such as business reports or academic essays, where the final 'suru' might be conjugated into more formal forms like 'itashimasu' or 'dearu'. At this level, you can also use 'tari' to imply a sense of irony or sarcasm in casual speech (e.g., 'Ame ga futtari shite!' - 'Of course it would rain!'). You should be able to distinguish between using 'tari' for random actions versus using it for actions that are intentionally paired, like 'ittari kitari' (going back and forth). Your ability to use this structure to describe abstract concepts, like 'the fluctuating economy' or 'the varied needs of customers,' will demonstrate a high level of linguistic competence. You should also be able to identify and correct subtle errors in 'tari' usage in complex sentences.

At the C1 level, your use of 〜たり〜たり should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You understand the rhythmic and rhetorical power of the structure. You can use it to list abstract possibilities or hypothetical scenarios with ease. For instance, in a philosophical discussion, you might use it to describe the multifaceted nature of truth or human experience. You are also aware of historical or literary uses of the 'tari' form, which can sometimes appear in classical-style Japanese or set phrases. You can use 'tari' to soften your speech or to add a layer of humility or uncertainty when appropriate. Your mastery extends to the most complex conjugations and the ability to weave 'tari' clauses into long, sophisticated sentences without losing the grammatical thread. You also understand how 'tari' interacts with other advanced grammar points, such as 'nari... nari...' or 'da no... da no...', and you can choose the most appropriate one based on the specific nuance and register required. At this level, 'tari' is not just a grammar rule; it's a tool for nuanced expression, allowing you to capture the fluidity and complexity of thought and reality in Japanese.

At the C2 level, you have a complete and intuitive grasp of 〜たり〜たり. You can use it to achieve specific literary effects, such as parallelism or contrast, in high-level creative or academic writing. You understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of using 'tari' in different dialects or social strata. You can effortlessly switch between casual 'tari shite' and highly formal 'tari itashitari' depending on the context. Your understanding of the grammar is so deep that you can play with it, perhaps using it in unconventional ways for emphasis or humor, while always remaining within the bounds of natural-sounding Japanese. You can analyze the use of 'tari' in classical literature and explain its evolution into the modern language. For you, 'tari' is a versatile brush in your linguistic toolkit, used to paint vivid, dynamic pictures of actions, states, and ideas. You can handle any level of complexity, from describing the minute fluctuations of a scientific experiment to the grand, sweeping changes of history, all while maintaining perfect grammatical accuracy and stylistic elegance. Your use of 'tari' reflects a profound connection to the Japanese language and its unique way of categorizing and expressing the world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

〜たり〜たり in 30 Seconds

Used to list representative actions or states in a non-exhaustive way.
Formed by adding 'ri' to the plain past (ta-form) of verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
Requires a form of the verb 'suru' at the end of the sentence to function.
Does not imply a chronological sequence, unlike the 'te-form' of verbs.

The Japanese grammar construction 〜たり〜たり is a versatile and essential tool for expressing a non-exhaustive list of actions or states. In English, we often use the phrase 'doing things like...' or 'sometimes... sometimes...' to convey a similar meaning. This structure allows a speaker to highlight a few representative examples of activities without implying that these are the only things happening. It is particularly useful when you want to describe a busy day, a variety of hobbies, or fluctuating conditions like the weather. Unlike the 〜て form, which usually implies a chronological sequence of events (first A, then B), the 〜たり form suggests that the actions are happening in no particular order, or are simply examples of a larger set of behaviors. This makes the tone feel more casual, descriptive, and open-ended. It is a hallmark of natural Japanese conversation because it avoids the rigidity of a strict timeline.

Core Concept: Representative listing of actions or states where the order is not the primary focus.

週末は、買い物をしたり、映画を見たりしました。

When using this pattern, you are essentially saying, 'I did things like X and Y (among other things).' It is very common in social settings when someone asks, 'What did you do over the break?' Instead of listing every single minute detail, you pick the most interesting or relevant activities. This structure also works with adjectives and nouns, though it is most frequently seen with verbs. For adjectives, it describes states that alternate or vary, such as 'sometimes it's hot, sometimes it's cold.' This flexibility makes it a powerful descriptive tool in both spoken and written Japanese. In formal writing, it can still be used, but the final する might be changed to します or しました to maintain the appropriate register. The beauty of 〜たり lies in its ability to paint a broad picture of a situation without getting bogged down in the minutiae of time and sequence.

Grammatical Ending: The final 'suru' carries the tense. If you are talking about the past, use 'shimashita' or 'shita'.

昨日は雨が降ったり、止んだりしました。

Furthermore, the repetition of 〜たり creates a rhythmic quality in Japanese speech. It sounds balanced and complete. While you can technically use only one 〜たり, it is much more common and natural to use at least two. If you use three or more, it can start to sound a bit cluttered, so two is usually the 'sweet spot' for effective communication. This pattern is also used to describe contrasting actions that happen repeatedly, like 'going back and forth' (ittari kitari). In these cases, the actions are often opposites. Understanding this nuance helps learners move beyond simple sentence structures and start expressing more complex, dynamic situations in a way that sounds authentically Japanese.

Frequency of Use: Extremely high in daily conversation, journals, and descriptive essays.

休みの日には、本を読んだり、音楽を聴いたりして過ごします。

この店は、安かったり、高かったりします。

行ったり来たりしないでください。

Using 〜たり〜たり correctly requires a solid understanding of the た-form (past tense) of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. The basic rule is to take the plain past form and add り. For verbs, this means converting 'tabeta' to 'tabetari' or 'nonda' to 'nondari'. For i-adjectives, you change the final い to かったり (e.g., 'atsui' becomes 'atsukattari'). For na-adjectives and nouns, you add だったり (e.g., 'kirei' becomes 'kireidattari', 'ame' becomes 'amedattari'). The most critical part of the sentence is the final verb, which is almost always a form of する. This final する acts as the anchor for the entire sentence, determining whether the actions happened in the past, are happening now, or will happen in the future. It also sets the level of politeness (e.g., suru vs. shimasu).

Verb Conjugation: Plain Past Form + り. Example: 飲む → 飲んだ → 飲んだり.

お酒を飲んだり、歌を歌ったりして、パーティーを楽しみました。

One of the most common mistakes for beginners is forgetting the final する. Without it, the sentence feels like it's hanging in mid-air. Another nuance to keep in mind is the choice of verbs. While you can list any actions, 〜たり〜たり is most effective when the actions are related or provide a good cross-section of an experience. For example, if you're describing a trip to Tokyo, you might say 'I went to temples and did some shopping.' This gives the listener a clear idea of your trip without you having to list every single train you took or every meal you ate. It's also worth noting that the order of the 〜たり clauses doesn't matter. 'Shopping and eating' is the same as 'eating and shopping' in this context, which is a major difference from the 〜て form where the order usually implies the sequence of events.

Adjective Usage: I-adj: 〜かったり. Na-adj/Noun: 〜だったり. Used to show variation.

最近の天気は、暑かったり、寒かったりして、大変です。

When using 〜たり with nouns, it often implies 'sometimes it's X, sometimes it's Y.' For instance, 'Sometimes it's a student, sometimes it's a teacher' would be 'gakusei dattari, sensei dattari suru.' This is particularly useful in professional contexts where someone might wear many hats. In casual speech, you might even hear people end a sentence with just one 〜たりして, which adds a sense of 'maybe...' or 'just doing things like...'. This is a more advanced usage that softens the statement. However, for learners at the B1 level, mastering the double 〜たり〜たりする structure is the priority. It provides a solid foundation for descriptive storytelling and helps you sound much more fluent and natural in your interactions with native speakers.

Common Patterns: Verb A-tari, Verb B-tari suru. (Doing A and B among others).

休み時間は、友達と話したり、スマホを見たりしています。

この仕事は、忙しかったり、暇だったりします。

昼ご飯は、パンを食べたり、おにぎりを食べたりします。

You will encounter 〜たり〜たり in almost every facet of Japanese life, from casual chats over coffee to formal weather broadcasts. It is one of the most 'real-world' grammar points you can learn. In a casual setting, friends use it to catch up on each other's lives. If you ask a Japanese friend what they did over the weekend, they are almost certain to respond with a 〜たり sentence. For example, 'I just relaxed at home, watched some YouTube, and did some cleaning.' In Japanese, this would naturally flow as 'Yutsubu o mitari, souji o shitari shimashita.' It sounds much more natural than using the 〜て form, which can make a casual weekend sound like a strict military schedule. This pattern allows the speaker to give a 'vibe' of their activities rather than a deposition.

Daily Conversation: Used to describe weekend plans, hobbies, and general life updates.

最近は、ジムに行ったり、ヨガをしたりしています。

Another place you will frequently hear this is in weather reports. Japanese weather can be quite fickle, and announcers often use 〜たり to describe alternating conditions. 'Ame ga futtari yandari' (It will rain and stop repeatedly) is a classic phrase. You might also hear it in news reports describing fluctuating stock prices or changing social trends. In these contexts, the grammar conveys a sense of instability or variety. It's not just that things are happening; it's that they are happening in a way that is varied and perhaps a bit unpredictable. This nuance is hard to capture with other grammar points, which is why 〜たり is so indispensable for describing the real world's complexities.

Media and News: Common in weather forecasts and reports on fluctuating trends or prices.

午後は曇ったり、晴れたりするでしょう。

In the workplace, 〜たり〜たり is used to describe job responsibilities that vary. If you are an office worker who does a bit of everything, you might say, 'I do some data entry, answer phones, and sometimes meet with clients.' Using 〜たり here shows that your day is dynamic. It also helps in polite refusal or explanation. For example, if someone asks why you were late, you might say, 'The train was stopping and starting,' using 'tomattari ugokattari.' This sounds less like a specific excuse and more like a description of the chaotic situation. By paying attention to how native speakers use this form, you'll notice it's less about a list of facts and more about creating a certain 'feel' or 'atmosphere' for the information being shared.

Professional Use: Used to describe varied tasks or unpredictable technical issues.

会議の準備をしたり作ったりして忙しいです。

ネットが繋がったり切れたりして、困っています。

お客さんが来たり、電話がかかったりして、全然仕事が進みません。

While 〜たり〜たり is a relatively straightforward grammar point, there are several common pitfalls that learners often encounter. The most frequent mistake is forgetting the final する (suru). Many students think that adding り to the end of the verbs is enough to complete the sentence, but without する, the sentence is grammatically incomplete. Think of する as the engine that makes the whole structure work. It carries the tense and the politeness level. If you're talking about yesterday, you must use しました or した. If you're talking about a general habit, use します or する. Forgetting this 'anchor' is the number one reason for confusion among Japanese teachers when listening to students.

Mistake #1: Missing 'Suru': Incorrect: 映画を見たり、本を読んだり。 Correct: 映画を見たり、本を読んだりします。

× 昨日は買い物をしたり、散歩をしたり。 (Incomplete)

Another common error is using 〜たり when the order of events is actually important. If you want to say 'I ate breakfast and then went to school,' you should use the 〜て form (Asagohan o tabete, gakkou e ikimashita). Using 〜たり would imply that you ate breakfast and went to school at various times, or that these are just two examples of things you did, which sounds strange for a simple morning routine. Use 〜たり for general activities or things that happen repeatedly/randomly. Furthermore, some learners try to use the present tense form of the verb before adding り (e.g., 'taberutari'). This is incorrect. You must always use the plain past form (ta-form) as the base. If you struggle with ta-form conjugations, this grammar point will be difficult, so it's a good idea to review your verb basics.

Mistake #2: Wrong Base Form: Incorrect: 食べるたり、飲むたり。 Correct: 食べたり、飲んだり。

× 音楽を聞くたり、テレビを見るたりします。 (Wrong conjugation)

Lastly, be careful not to over-use 〜たり. While it's great for listing a few things, listing five or six items using 〜たり makes the sentence very long and difficult to follow. Stick to two or three representative examples. Also, remember that while 〜たり can be used with adjectives and nouns, it's much less common than with verbs. If you're just starting out, focus on mastering the verb usage first. When you do use it with adjectives, ensure you're using the correct past form (e.g., yasukattari, not yasuittari). Misconjugating adjectives is a very common mistake because the rules are slightly different from verbs. By keeping these points in mind, you can avoid the most common errors and use 〜たり〜たり like a pro.

Mistake #3: Sequential Misuse: Don't use 'tari' for things that must happen in a specific order, like 'putting on shoes and leaving'.

× 靴を履いたり、外に出たりしました。 (Sounds like you did these randomly)

× 部屋が綺麗だり、汚いだりします。 (Incorrect adjective forms)

× 料理を作ったり、食べたり。 (Needs 'suru' at the end)

In Japanese, there are several ways to list things, and choosing the right one depends on what you are listing and the nuance you want to convey. The most common alternatives to 〜たり〜たり are the 〜て form, the particle や (ya), and the particle とか (toka). Each has its own specific use case. The 〜て form is used for listing actions in a specific chronological order. If you say 'A-te, B-shimasu,' it almost always means you do A first, then B. This is the biggest difference from 〜たり, which is non-sequential. If the order doesn't matter, or if you're just giving examples, 〜たり is the better choice. If the order is vital (like a recipe), use the 〜て form.

Comparison: 〜たり vs. 〜て: 〜たり: Non-sequential, representative examples. 〜て: Sequential, exhaustive list of steps.

朝起きて、顔を洗います。 (Sequential: Wake up, then wash face)

When listing nouns, you have two main choices: や and とか. The particle や is used for a non-exhaustive list of nouns in a slightly more formal or 'written' style. It's like saying 'A, B, and so on.' The particle とか is the casual, spoken equivalent of や. It's very common in daily conversation. While 〜たり can be used with nouns (by adding だったり), it's much more common to use とか for simple noun lists. For example, 'I like apples and oranges' would be 'Ringo toka mikan toka ga suki.' You would only use 〜たり with nouns if you wanted to emphasize the state of being those things at different times, like 'Sometimes it's a cat, sometimes it's a dog.'

Comparison: 〜たり vs. とか: 〜たり: Focuses on actions or varying states. とか: Focuses on a list of items or things.

カバンの中に、ペンとかノートとかが入っています。 (List of objects)

Another similar structure is 〜し〜し (shi... shi...), which is used to list reasons or characteristics. While 〜たり lists examples of actions, 〜し lists points that lead to a conclusion. For example, 'This room is clean, and it's cheap (so I like it)' would use 〜し. If you used 〜たり, it would sound like the room is sometimes clean and sometimes cheap, which doesn't make much sense. Understanding these subtle differences is key to achieving B1 and B2 proficiency. Each 'listing' grammar has its own 'flavor,' and using the wrong one can change the entire meaning of your sentence. By practicing with 〜たり, you'll learn to describe the dynamic, varied nature of life in a way that sounds sophisticated and natural.

Comparison: 〜たり vs. 〜し: 〜たり: Examples of actions/states. 〜し: Listing reasons or multiple qualities.

この店は美味しいし、安いし、最高です。 (Listing positive qualities)

週末は、掃除をしたり、洗濯をしたりします。 (Listing chores)

スーパーで、野菜や果物や肉を買いました。 (List of nouns)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"週末は、読書をしたり、散策をしたりして過ごしております。"

Neutral

"週末は、本を読んだり、散歩をしたりしました。"

Informal

"週末は、本読んだり、散歩したりしたよ。"

Child friendly

"公園で遊んだり、お菓子を食べたりしようね！"

Slang

"昨日とか、ネトフリ見たりしてダラダラしてた。"

Fun Fact

In Classical Japanese, 'tari' was also used to form the past tense, which is why it is still attached to the 'ta-form' (past tense) of verbs in modern Japanese!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ta.ɾi ta.ɾi/

US /tɑ.ɹi tɑ.ɹi/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language, so there is no heavy stress on any syllable. Keep the rhythm flat and even.

Rhymes With

Bakari Hikari Bakari Shikkari Yukkuri Sappari Bikkuri Ukkari

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ri' like the English word 'rye'.
Putting too much stress on the 'ta' syllable.
Making the 'a' sound too long (like 'tah-ree').
Using a hard American 'r' sound.
Forgetting the slight pause between the two 'tari' clauses.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 'ta-form' and the 'ri' suffix.

Writing 4/5

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

Speaking 4/5

Natural usage requires remembering the final 'suru' and not over-listing.

Listening 3/5

Common in speech, but the 'ri' can sometimes be spoken very quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

する (suru) た形 (ta-form verbs) い形容詞 (i-adjectives) な形容詞 (na-adjectives) 名詞 (nouns)

Learn Next

〜し〜し (shi shi) 〜とか〜とか (toka toka) 〜ながら (nagara) 〜ついでに (tsuide ni) 〜たびに (tabi ni)

Advanced

〜なり〜なり (nari nari) 〜だの〜だの (da no da no) 〜であれ〜であれ (de are de are) 〜といい〜といい (to ii to ii) 〜つ〜つ (tsu tsu)

Grammar to Know

Ta-form conjugation

行く → 行った, 食べる → 食べた

I-adjective past form

暑い → 暑かった

Na-adjective/Noun past form

暇だ → 暇だった, 雨だ → 雨だった

Final 'suru' for tense

〜したりします (Present), 〜したりしました (Past)

Non-exhaustive listing with 'ya'

りんごやバナナを買いました。

Examples by Level

本を読んだり、テレビを見たりしました。

I did things like reading books and watching TV.

Verb (past) + ri + Verb (past) + ri + shimashita.

お茶を飲んだり、お菓子を食べたりします。

I do things like drinking tea and eating sweets.

Use 'shimasu' for regular habits.

歌を歌ったり、ダンスをしたりしました。

We did things like singing songs and dancing.

The final 'shimashita' makes the whole sentence past tense.

写真を撮ったり、散歩をしたりしました。

I did things like taking photos and going for a walk.

Each action is just an example.

日本語を勉強したり、音楽を聴いたりします。

I do things like studying Japanese and listening to music.

Non-exhaustive list of activities.

パンを買ったり、牛乳を買ったりしました。

I bought things like bread and milk.

Verbs are in the plain past form before 'ri'.

泳いだり、走ったりしました。

I did things like swimming and running.

The order of swimming and running doesn't matter.

寝たり、起きたりします。

I do things like sleeping and waking up.

Describes a cycle of actions.

週末は買い物をしたり、友達に会ったりしました。

On the weekend, I did things like shopping and meeting friends.

Common way to describe weekend activities.

昨日は雨が降ったり、止んだりしました。

Yesterday, it rained and stopped (repeatedly).

Describes alternating weather conditions.

この料理は辛かったり、甘かったりします。

This dish is sometimes spicy and sometimes sweet.

Using 'tari' with i-adjectives (kat-tari).

休み時間は本を読んだり、スマホを見たりしています。

During breaks, I'm doing things like reading books and looking at my phone.

Using 'shite imasu' for ongoing habits.

映画を見に行ったり、公園で遊んだりしたいです。

I want to do things like going to see a movie and playing in the park.

The final verb 'shitai' expresses desire.

テストは簡単だったり、難しかったりします。

Tests are sometimes easy and sometimes difficult.

Using 'tari' with a na-adjective (kantan) and an i-adjective (muzukashii).

海に行ったり、山に登ったりするのが好きです。

I like doing things like going to the sea and climbing mountains.

Using 'no ga suki' to talk about likes.

掃除をしたり、洗濯をしたりするのは大変です。

Doing things like cleaning and laundry is hard.

Listing chores as examples of hard work.

休みの日は、家でゆっくりしたり、カフェに行ったりして過ごします。

On my days off, I spend time doing things like relaxing at home or going to a cafe.

Using 'shite sugoshimasu' to describe how time is spent.

最近の株価は、上がったり下がったりして不安定です。

Recently, stock prices have been unstable, going up and down.

Describes fluctuating numerical values.

彼女は親切だったり、冷たかったりするので、よく分かりません。

She is sometimes kind and sometimes cold, so I don't really understand her.

Describes inconsistent personality traits.

会議では、意見を言ったり、メモを取ったりしなければなりません。

In meetings, you have to do things like state your opinion and take notes.

Using 'shinakereba narimasen' for obligations.

インターネットで調べたり、先生に聞いたりして、問題を解決しました。

I solved the problem by doing things like searching online and asking the teacher.

Using 'shite' to connect the 'tari' list to a result.

この仕事は、忙しかったり暇だったり、差が激しいです。

This job has a huge gap; sometimes it's busy and sometimes there's nothing to do.

Describes extreme variation in workload.

旅行の準備をしたり、お土産を選んだりするのは楽しいですね。

It's fun to do things like preparing for a trip and choosing souvenirs, isn't it?

Using 'no wa tanoshii' to express enjoyment of activities.

夜中に目が覚めたり、怖い夢を見たりすることがあります。

There are times when I wake up in the middle of the night or have scary dreams.

Using 'koto ga arimasu' to describe occasional occurrences.

人生には、成功したり失敗したりすることが付き物だ。

In life, things like succeeding and failing are inevitable.

Using 'tari' for abstract life concepts.

その作家の文章は、難解だったり平易だったりして、一貫性がない。

That author's writing is sometimes esoteric and sometimes simple, lacking consistency.

Critiquing literary style using 'tari'.

プロジェクトの進捗状況によっては、残業したり休日出勤したりすることもあります。

Depending on the project's progress, we sometimes work overtime or come in on holidays.

Describes conditional work requirements.

彼は、怒ったり笑ったり、感情の起伏が激しい人だ。

He is a person with intense emotional ups and downs, sometimes getting angry and sometimes laughing.

Describes volatile emotional states.

新しい環境に慣れるまでは、不安だったり期待したり、複雑な気持ちでした。

Until I got used to the new environment, I had complex feelings, like being anxious and hopeful.

Describes conflicting internal emotions.

データが消えたり、パソコンがフリーズしたりして、作業が大幅に遅れた。

The work was significantly delayed because data disappeared and the computer froze.

Lists technical problems as reasons for a delay.

政府の政策は、国民に歓迎されたり批判されたりしている。

The government's policies are being both welcomed and criticized by the citizens.

Using passive voice with 'tari' for social analysis.

この地域は、伝統を守ったり新しい文化を取り入れたりして発展してきた。

This region has developed by doing things like preserving traditions and adopting new cultures.

Describes historical development through contrasting actions.

真理というものは、時に残酷だったり、時に救いだったりする多面的なものだ。

Truth is a multifaceted thing that is sometimes cruel and sometimes a salvation.

Philosophical use of 'tari' for abstract nouns.

景気動向によって、雇用情勢は改善したり悪化したりを繰り返している。

Depending on economic trends, the employment situation repeatedly improves and worsens.

Formal economic description using 'tari'.

古典文学を読んでいると、現代人と同じような悩みに共感したり、驚いたりすることが多々ある。

When reading classical literature, there are many times when I empathize with or am surprised by worries similar to those of modern people.

Describes intellectual and emotional reactions to literature.

外交交渉においては、譲歩したり主張したりといった駆け引きが不可欠である。

In diplomatic negotiations, tactics such as making concessions and asserting one's position are indispensable.

Describes strategic actions in a professional context.

彼の言動は、周囲を混乱させたり、逆に勇気づけたりと、予測不可能だ。

His words and actions are unpredictable, sometimes confusing those around him and sometimes encouraging them.

Describes the varied impact of a person's behavior.

科学技術の進歩は、我々の生活を豊かにしたり、新たな脅威を生み出したりする諸刃の剣である。

The progress of science and technology is a double-edged sword that enriches our lives and creates new threats.

Uses 'tari' to describe dualistic consequences.

芸術作品は、見る人の感性によって美しかったり醜かったり、評価が分かれるものだ。

Evaluations of artworks vary, appearing beautiful or ugly depending on the viewer's sensitivity.

Describes subjective variation in perception.

歴史を紐解けば、国家が興隆したり衰退したりするプロセスには一定の法則が見て取れる。

If you unravel history, you can see certain laws in the process of nations rising and falling.

Describes grand historical cycles using 'tari'.

言語の変遷は、音韻が変化したり語彙が消失したりといった、極めて緩慢かつ不可逆的なプロセスである。

Language evolution is an extremely slow and irreversible process involving things like phonological changes and lexical loss.

Highly academic description of linguistics.

量子力学の世界では、粒子は波だったり粒だったりと、観測の仕方によってその性質を変える。

In the world of quantum mechanics, particles change their properties, appearing as waves or particles depending on the method of observation.

Scientific application describing dual states.

権力構造というものは、時に強固だったり、時に脆弱だったりと、外部からの衝撃に対して多様な反応を示す。

Power structures show diverse reactions to external shocks, being sometimes robust and sometimes fragile.

Political science analysis using 'tari'.

人間の意識は、覚醒したり混濁したりといったグラデーションの中に存在している。

Human consciousness exists within a gradation of states, such as being awake or clouded.

Psychological/philosophical description of consciousness.

市場のダイナミズムは、イノベーションが起きたり既存の秩序が崩壊したりすることで維持されている。

Market dynamism is maintained through the occurrence of innovation and the collapse of existing orders.

Economic theory expressed through 'tari'.

自己のアイデンティティは、他者との関係性の中で構築されたり解体されたりする流動的なものである。

One's identity is a fluid thing that is constructed and deconstructed within relationships with others.

Sociological description of identity formation.

宇宙の膨張は、加速したり減速したりといった、我々の想像を絶するスケールで進行している。

The expansion of the universe is proceeding on a scale beyond our imagination, involving acceleration and deceleration.

Cosmological description using 'tari'.

正義の定義は、時代や文化によって称賛されたり忌避されたりと、常に変容し続けている。

The definition of justice is constantly transforming, being praised or avoided depending on the era and culture.

Ethical/historical analysis of a concept.

Common Collocations

行ったり来たりする

降ったり止んだりする

上がったり下がったりする

寝たり起きたりする

見たり聞いたりする

食べたり飲んだりする

笑ったり泣いたりする

増えたり減ったりする

浮いたり沈んだりする

出たり入ったりする

Common Phrases

〜たりして

〜たりなんかして

〜たりとも

〜たりはしない

〜たりなんだり

〜たりなかったり

〜たりしてね

〜たりしなかったり

〜たりするのが好き

〜たりする人

Often Confused With

〜たり〜たり vs 〜て〜て

Used for sequential actions. 'Tari' is for non-sequential examples.

〜たり〜たり vs 〜とか〜とか

Used for nouns. 'Tari' is primarily for verbs and adjectives.

〜たり〜たり vs 〜し〜し

Used for listing reasons or qualities. 'Tari' is for listing actions or states.

Idioms & Expressions

"行ったり来たり"

To go back and forth. Can refer to physical movement or indecisiveness.

考えが行ったり来たりして、結論が出ない。

Neutral

"浮き沈み"

Ups and downs (derived from 'uitari shizundari'). Refers to the fluctuations of life or business.

人生には浮き沈みがある。

Neutral

"一進一退"

Ebbing and flowing; taking one step forward and one step back. (Similar concept to 'tari').

病状は一進一退を繰り返している。

Formal

"付かず離れず"

Keeping a certain distance; neither too close nor too far. (Related to the 'alternating' nuance).

彼らとは付かず離れずの関係を保っている。

Neutral

"取っ替え引っ替え"

Changing one thing after another in quick succession.

彼女は服を取っ替え引っ替え試着している。

Informal

"抜きつ抜かれつ"

A neck-and-neck race; overtaking and being overtaken.

二人のランナーは抜きつ抜かれつのデッドヒートを繰り広げた。

Neutral

"持ちつ持たれつ"

Give and take; mutual aid. 'Helping and being helped.'

お隣さんとは持ちつ持たれつの仲です。

Neutral

"見え隠れする"

To be seen and then hidden; to flicker in and out of view.

雲の合間から月が見え隠れしている。

Neutral

"押し問答"

A back-and-forth argument; bandying words.

玄関先で長い間、押し問答が続いた。

Neutral

"二転三転"

Changing repeatedly; shifting several times (e.g., a story or a plan).

彼の話は二転三転して、どれが本当か分からない。

Neutral

Easily Confused

〜たり〜たり vs 〜や

Both are used for non-exhaustive lists.

'Ya' is only for nouns and is more formal/written. 'Tari' is for verbs/adjectives and is common in speech.

ペンやノートを買いました。 vs 勉強したり書いたりしました。

〜たり〜たり vs 〜ながら

Both involve multiple actions.

'Nagara' means doing two things at the exact same time. 'Tari' means doing various things over a period of time.

音楽を聴きながら勉強します。 vs 音楽を聴いたり勉強したりします。

〜たり〜たり vs 〜だの

Both list things.

'Dano' has a negative, complaining nuance. 'Tari' is neutral and descriptive.

忙しいだの疲れただのと言う。 vs 忙しかったり疲れたりしました。

〜たり〜たり vs 〜なり

Both list options.

'Nari' is used to suggest options or choices ('Do A or B'). 'Tari' describes what was actually done.

煮るなり焼くなりしてください。 vs 煮たり焼いたりしました。

〜たり〜たり vs 〜といい

Both list two things.

'To ii' is used to praise or emphasize specific aspects of a whole. 'Tari' is just a list of examples.

味といい色といい素晴らしい。 vs 食べたり見たりしました。

Sentence Patterns

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

本を読んだり、テレビを見たりしました。

[Adj 1 Ta-form]り、[Adj 2 Ta-form]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。

休みは土曜日だったり、日曜日だったりします。

[Verb 1]たり、[Verb 2]たりするのが好きです。

歌ったり、踊ったりするのが好きです。

[Verb 1]たり、[Verb 2]たりして、[Result]。

雨が降ったり、風が強かったりして、大変でした。

[Verb 1]たり[Verb 2]たりを繰り返す。

上がったり下がったりを繰り返しています。

[Verb 1]たり、[Verb 2]たりといった[Noun]。

泣いたり笑ったりといった感情の表出。

[Verb 1]たり[Verb 2]たりは、[Abstract Concept]である。

興隆したり衰退したりは、歴史の常である。

Word Family

Verbs

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in all forms of communication.

Common Mistakes

Using present tense: 食べるたり、飲むたりします。 → 食べたり、飲んだりします。
You must use the plain past (ta-form) as the base. 'Tabeta' + 'ri' = 'tabetari'.
Forgetting the final verb: 映画を見たり、本を読んだり。 → 映画を見たり、本を読んだりしました。
The sentence is incomplete without a form of 'suru' at the end to carry the tense.
Using 'tari' for strict sequences: 朝起きたら、顔を洗ったり、歯を磨いたりします。 → 朝起きたら、顔を洗って、歯を磨きます。
For a routine where the order is fixed, the 'te-form' is much more appropriate.
Misconjugating i-adjectives: 暑いり、寒いりします。 → 暑かったり、寒かったりします。
I-adjectives must be in their past form (kat-ta) before adding 'ri'.
Mixing 'tari' with 'toka' incorrectly: 食べたり、飲むとかします。 → 食べたり、飲んだりします。
Keep the structure consistent. Don't mix different listing particles in the same list.

Tips

Master the Ta-form

Since 'tari' is added to the 'ta-form', your success with this grammar depends on your ability to conjugate verbs into the past tense correctly. Review your verb groups!

The 'Suru' Anchor

Always think of 'suru' as the anchor. Before you even start your 'tari' list, decide if you're talking about the past (shimashita) or a habit (shimasu).

Non-Exhaustive

Use 'tari' when you want to sound relaxed and descriptive. It tells the listener, 'Here are some examples, but there's more to the story!'

Limit to Two or Three

For the best flow in your writing, stick to two or three 'tari' clauses. This keeps your sentences balanced and easy to read.

Catch the Rhythm

Native speakers often say 'tari... tari...' with a specific cadence. Listening for this rhythm will help you identify the structure even in fast speech.

Use with Adjectives

Don't forget that 'tari' works with adjectives too! It's a great way to describe changing weather or inconsistent feelings.

Casual 'Tari Shite'

In casual settings, try ending a sentence with '〜たりして'. It makes you sound more like a native speaker and adds a nice, soft touch to your speech.

No Sequential Order

If you must emphasize that one thing happened after another, use the 'te-form'. Use 'tari' only when the order is not important.

Modesty through 'Tari'

Use 'tari' to list a few modest activities when someone asks about your achievements or expensive trips. It sounds much more humble.

Daily Journaling

Every night, write one sentence about your day using 'tari'. It's the perfect grammar for summarizing daily life.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'tari' as 'Tally'. You are keeping a 'tally' of a few things you did, but not the whole list. 'Tally A, Tally B... then Suru!'

Visual Association

Imagine a person juggling. Each ball is a 'tari'. They are doing 'this' and 'that' and 'that', all at the same time, without a specific order.

Word Web

Actions Examples Variety Sometimes Alternating Non-sequential Suru Ta-form

Challenge

Try to describe your morning using three 'tari' forms and the correct final 'suru'. Then, try to describe the weather using two 'tari' forms with adjectives.

Word Origin

The 'tari' suffix originates from the Classical Japanese auxiliary verb 'tari', which was used to indicate a completed action or a state of being. It was a contraction of 'te ari' (being in a state of having done something). Over time, it evolved into the modern listing form.

Original meaning: Originally, it indicated that an action had been completed and the result still remained. This sense of 'state' is why it can still be used with adjectives and nouns today.

Japonic

Cultural Context

There are no specific sensitivities, but avoid using 'tari' for very serious or solemn sequential rituals where the order is sacred.

English speakers often use 'and' or 'then' for everything. Learning 'tari' is the first step to breaking that habit and sounding more Japanese.

The song 'Ittari Kitari' (Going Back and Forth) is a common theme in Japanese pop music. Weather forecasters on NHK use this daily. Classic literature often uses 'tari' to describe the changing seasons.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Talking about your weekend

買い物をしたりしました
映画を見たりしました
ゆっくりしたりしました
友達に会ったりしました

Describing the weather

降ったり止んだりしています
暑かったり寒かったりします
晴れたり曇ったりでしょう
風が強かったり弱かったりします

Describing job duties

電話に出たりします
資料を作ったりします
会議に出たりします
メールを送ったりします

Describing feelings

嬉しかったり悲しかったりします
不安だったり楽しみだったりします
驚いたり笑ったりしました
ドキドキしたりワクワクしたりします

Talking about habits

自炊したり外食したりします
歩いたり走ったりしています
本を読んだり音楽を聴いたりします
早く寝たり遅く寝たりします

Conversation Starters

"週末は何をしたり、どこに行ったりしましたか？"

"最近、どんなことをしたりして過ごしていますか？"

"旅行に行ったら、何をしたり、何を食べたりしたいですか？"

"仕事では、どんなことをしたり、誰に会ったりしますか？"

"子供の頃は、どんな遊びをしたり、どこで遊んだりしましたか？"

Journal Prompts

今日の出来事を、〜たり〜たりを使って３つ以上書いてみましょう。

あなたの趣味について、〜たり〜たりを使って詳しく説明してください。

最近の天気の変化について、〜たり〜たりを使って描写してみましょう。

理想の休日について、〜たり〜たりを使ってプランを立ててみてください。

今の自分の気持ち（不安、期待など）を、〜たり〜たりを使って表現しましょう。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can use a single 'tari' to mean 'doing things like...'. For example, 'Sake o nondari shimashita' means 'I did things like drinking sake.' However, using two is much more common and sounds more balanced.

No, the order does not matter. 'Tabetari nondari' and 'nondari tabetari' convey the same meaning. This is a key difference from the 'te-form'.

It's generally better to use the 'te-form' for sequential actions. Using 'tari' for a sequence like 'waking up and eating' sounds like you did those things at random times throughout the day.

Yes, by adding 'dattari'. For example, 'Ame dattari yuki dattari shimasu' (It's sometimes rain, sometimes snow). But for simple lists of objects, 'toka' or 'ya' is more common.

'Tari' is the standard grammatical way to list verb examples. 'Toka' can be used with verbs in very casual speech (e.g., 'taberu toka suru'), but 'tari' is much more natural and correct.

Technically, as many as you want, but two or three is the practical limit. Any more and the sentence becomes difficult to follow and sounds repetitive.

Yes, 'suru' is grammatically required to complete the sentence. In very casual speech, it's sometimes dropped, but for learners, it's best to always include it.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. Just ensure the final 'suru' is in an appropriate formal form like 'shimasu', 'shimashita', or 'dearu'.

'Tari' is based on the past tense form, but it doesn't have a tense of its own. The tense of the entire sentence is determined by the final 'suru'.

Yes, you can use the negative past form + ri. For example, 'Benkyou shinakattari, gakkou ni ikanakattari shimasu' (Sometimes I don't study, sometimes I don't go to school).