「〜たり〜たりする」- Listing Actions or States

Explanation

「〜たり〜たりする」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to list actions or states, often to give examples of multiple behaviors or conditions. It can describe a series of actions or indicate an uncertain state.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb た-form + り	Verb た-form + り	Used to list multiple actions or states, meaning "sometimes... sometimes..."
Adjective + かったり	Adjective + かったり	Used to list multiple states, meaning "sometimes... sometimes..."
Noun + だったり	Noun + だったり	Used to list multiple states, meaning "sometimes... sometimes..."

Basic Usage

Connection

• Verb た-form + り
• Adjective + かったり
• Noun + だったり

Meaning

• Used to list multiple actions or states, often describing a series of behaviors or uncertain conditions.

Examples

• 映画えいがを見みたり、音楽おんがくを聴きいたりします。
• Eiga o mitari, ongaku o kiitari shimasu.
• Sometimes I watch movies, and sometimes I listen to music.
  

• 週末しゅうまつは友達ともだちと遊あそんだり、家いえで休やすんだりします。
• Shuumatsu wa tomodachi to asondari, ie de yasundari shimasu.
• On weekends, sometimes I hang out with friends, and sometimes I rest at home.
  

• 天気てんきが良よかったり、悪わるかったりします。
• Tenki ga yokattari, warukattari shimasu.
• The weather is sometimes good, and sometimes bad.
  

• 彼かれは元気げんきだったり、疲つかれていたりします。
• Kare wa genki dattari, tsukarete itari shimasu.
• He is sometimes energetic, and sometimes tired.
  

Comparison and Differences

「〜たり〜たりする」 and 「〜し〜し」 can both be used for listing, but their usages differ.

Grammar Point	Usage	Connection
〜たり〜たりする	Listing actions or states	Verb た-form + り
〜し〜し	Listing reasons or causes	Verb plain form + し

Examples:

• 彼かれは歌うたったり、踊おどったりします。
• Kare wa utattari, odottari shimasu.
• He sometimes sings, and sometimes dances.
  

• 彼かれは歌うたうし、踊おどるし、楽たのしいです。
• Kare wa utau shi, odoru shi, tanoshii desu.
• He sings, dances, and is fun.
  

Deep Dive

「〜たり〜たりする」 is mainly used to list multiple actions or states, often describing a series of behaviors or uncertain conditions. It is commonly used in casual conversations to convey a relaxed and informal tone.

Summary

「〜たり〜たりする」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to list actions or states, often describing a series of behaviors or uncertain conditions. Mastering this pattern allows for more natural expression of multiple actions or states in everyday conversations.