This shows an action is finished. Or it shows a state that continues after an action.
Verb [stem] + たりPrimary
This shows an action is finished. Or it shows a state that continues after an action.
月は昇りたり。
The moon has risen.
門には鍵が下ろされたり。
The gate is locked (and remains locked).
宿題を未だ終へたらず。
I have not yet finished the homework.
来たる十月、大会が開催される。
In the coming October, the tournament will be held.
夜も更けたれば、そろそろお暇せむ。
As the night has grown late, I shall take my leave soon.
This is not like modern Japanese "~tari~tari suru". That lists examples of actions. This old "~tari" shows something is finished. Or it shows a state that continues. Other old words like "~tsu" mean someone did something on purpose. "~nu" means something changed on its own. "~tari" focuses on the finished state lasting. It is also different from another old word "~ri". "~tari" connects to the verb stem. "~ri" connects in more complex ways.
Watch out: Do not confuse old Japanese "-tari" with new Japanese "-tari -tari suru". Old "-tari" means an action is finished. For example, "hana saki tari" means "flowers have bloomed". It does not mean "doing things like flowers blooming". New "-tari -tari suru" needs two or more actions. It also needs the verb "suru" at the end. For example, "shuumatsu wa hon o yondari eiga o mitari shimasu" means "On weekends, I do things like read books and watch movies".
Don't use this when you speak modern Japanese. For example, don't say "I ate sushi たり." This grammar is very old. People used it a long time ago. You might see it in old books. Or in poems. Sometimes, writers use it on purpose. They want to sound old-fashioned. It is not used in everyday talk. It is not used in normal writing today.
Dialect / slang variants(3)
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