～やら～やら
〜yara〜yara
Formation
Verb-casual + やら, い-Adjective + やら, な-Adjective + やら, Noun + やら
Expresses various items or actions, 'things like..., and so on'.
When to use
やら～やら: this and that, with a sense of chaos (宿題やら掃除やら).
Explanation
「～やら～やら」 is used to list multiple things or actions in a somewhat non-exhaustive way. It can be translated as 'things like A and B' or 'A, B, and so on.' The grammar is often Verb-casual + やら, Noun + やら, い-Adjective + やら, etc.
Example sentences
-
I have lots of things to do, like homework and cleaning.
Shukudai yara souji yara, yaru koto ga takusan aru.
-
I bought all sorts of foods, such as vegetables and fruits.
Yasai yara kudamono yara, iroiro na tabemono wo kaimashita.
-
She’s really talented—she can sing well, dance, and so on.
Kanojo wa uta ga umai yara odoreru yara, hontou ni tasai da.
-
The store has all kinds of items like bags, shoes, accessories, etc.
Omise ni wa baggu yara kutsu yara akusesarii yara ga oite aru.
Listing (Such As / Etc.)
- A とか B とかN4Used to express multiple examples or possibilities; 'such…
- ～など〜nadoN3Indicates a non-exhaustive list of examples; 'such as'…
- Noun や Noun など～Noun ya Noun nadoN5Lists items or examples but not exhaustively; 'such as'…
- ～たり、～たり します〜tari, 〜tari shimasuN5Used to list multiple actions or states; 'do things like'…
- ～なんか〜nankaN3Expresses the idea of 'things like' or 'something like'…
- A だの B だのA dano B danoN1Used to list examples (often with a critical or…
- A というか B というかA to iu ka B to iu kaN1Means 'rather than say A, it's more like B', or 'whether…