
How to Use 〜たり、〜たり in Japanese
If you’re learning Japanese, you’ve probably come across 〜たり、〜たり. This structure is a useful way to list multiple actions without implying a strict order. It’s often used when talking about activities you do (or did) among other things. Let’s break it down step by step!
What is 〜たり、〜たり?
The 〜たり、〜たり structure is used to list examples of actions in a non-exhaustive way. It’s similar to saying “I do things like A and B” in English. This form suggests that the actions mentioned are just some of the things you do, not a complete list.
For example: 週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだりします。 (Shuumatsu wa eiga o mitari, hon o yondari shimasu.) = “On weekends, I do things like watching movies and reading books.”
This doesn’t mean you only watch movies and read books—it just gives a couple of examples.
How to Form 〜たり、〜たり
To use this structure, you need the past tense short form of verbs and attach 〜り to each verb:
[Verb (short, past)] + り、[Verb (short, past)] + りする(します)
Here’s how it works with different verbs:
Verb (Dictionary Form) | Short, Past | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
食べる (to eat) | 食べた | ピザを食べたり、ラーメンを食べたりします。 (I eat things like pizza and ramen.) |
飲む (to drink) | 飲んだ | コーヒーを飲んだり、お茶を飲んだりします。 (I drink things like coffee and tea.) |
行く (to go) | 行った | 週末は公園に行ったり、カフェに行ったりします。 (On weekends, I go to places like the park and cafes.) |
Pro tip: Even though the verb する is often used at the end, it can be replaced with なる when describing changing states.
- 暑くなったり、寒くなったりします。 (Atsukunattari, samukunattari shimasu.) = “It gets hot and cold (the temperature fluctuates).”
When to Use 〜たり、〜たり
Talking about repeated activities or habits
- ゲームをしたり、音楽を聞いたりします。 (Geemu o shitari, ongaku o kiitari shimasu.) = “I do things like playing games and listening to music.”
Talking about past experiences
- 旅行で京都に行ったり、大阪でたこ焼きを食べたりしました。 (Ryokoo de Kyoto ni ittari, Osaka de takoyaki o tabetari shimashita.) = “During my trip, I went to Kyoto and ate takoyaki in Osaka.”
Describing fluctuating conditions
- 天気が良かったり、悪かったりします。 (Tenki ga yokattari, warukattari shimasu.) = “The weather is sometimes good, sometimes bad.”
Fun Practice Idea
Try writing a sentence about your weekend, hobbies, or daily routine using 〜たり、〜たり!
- あなたの週末はどんなことをしますか? (What do you do on weekends?)
- どんなスポーツをしたりしますか? (What kind of sports do you do?)
- 学校や仕事ではどんなことをしますか? (What kind of things do you do at school or work?)
Share your sentences in the comments!
If you want to learn Japanese, improve your skills, or connect with native speakers and other learners, we can help. We offer one-on-one lessons, a supportive community, and on demand courses.
Website: nihongonana.com
Email: support@nihongonana.comBook 1-on-1 lessons: https://nihongonana.com/lessons/
Join our Speaking Club: https://nihongonana.com/community/
Join our Course Waitlist: https://nihongonana.com/courses/
Leave Comment