〜やら〜やら: You use this to list many things. It shows you feel confused or overwhelmed by them.

Dictionary

〜やら〜やら

You use this to list many things. It shows you feel confused or overwhelmed by them.

N2 KMT5NeutralStandardParticleMixedClassical ListingGrammar

Noun + やら + Noun + やらPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + やら + Verb [dictionary form] + やら

い-Adjective + やら + い-Adjective + やら

な-Adjective + やら + な-Adjective + やら

You use this to list many things. It shows you feel confused or overwhelmed by them.

部屋には服やら本やらが散らかっていた。

The room was cluttered with things like clothes and books.

NeutralPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeDaily Life Home & Housing

週末は掃除するやら洗濯するやらで、全然休めない。

On weekends, what with cleaning and doing laundry, I can't rest at all.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceAbilityDaily Life

嬉しいやら悲しいやら、複雑な気持ちだ。

I have mixed feelings, something like happy and sad at the same time.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology

新しいプロジェクトの準備で、資料集めやら会議やら、毎日忙しいです。

In preparation for the new project, I'm busy every day with gathering materials, having meetings, and so on.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & Career Business & Finance

彼は一体どこへ行ったのやら、誰も知らない。

As for where on earth he went, nobody knows.

NeutralPastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships

This grammar shows you feel a bit stressed. It is like when you have too many things to do. You feel busy or mixed up by the things you list.

This is different from other ways to list things. "とかとか" is more casual. "だのだの" shows strong complaints. "なりなり" suggests choices. "やらやら" shows you feel overwhelmed. It does not complain like "だのだの".

Use this when you want to show why something happened. The things you list cause the main event. It shows a messy or busy situation. This helps explain why you are busy, tired, or confused.

Often confused with(1)

〜とか

You use this when you list a few examples. It means '...and things like that'. You use it when you talk in a relaxed way.

Contrasts with(2)

〜なり〜なり

This grammar pattern gives examples of things you can do. It means 'do this or that, for example.' You can choose any of the options.

〜など

You use this word to give a few examples. It means 'and so on' or 'things like that'.

More formal alternatives(2)

〜だの〜だの

Used to list items or actions in a non-exhaustive manner, typically carrying a strong nuance of complaint, criticism, or exasperation. It is similar to saying '...and...and what not' in a fed-up or dismissive tone.

〜とか（〜とか）

This means 'and things like that'. You use it to give a few examples. It shows there are more things you could say.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜なり〜なり

This grammar pattern gives examples of things you can do. It means 'do this or that, for example.' You can choose any of the options.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

〜だ / 〜だった

This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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Dictionary

〜やら〜やら

You use this to list many things. It shows you feel confused or overwhelmed by them.

N2 KMT5NeutralStandardParticleMixedClassical ListingGrammar

Noun + やら + Noun + やらPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + やら + Verb [dictionary form] + やら

い-Adjective + やら + い-Adjective + やら

な-Adjective + やら + な-Adjective + やら

You use this to list many things. It shows you feel confused or overwhelmed by them.

部屋には服やら本やらが散らかっていた。

The room was cluttered with things like clothes and books.

NeutralPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeDaily Life Home & Housing

週末は掃除するやら洗濯するやらで、全然休めない。

On weekends, what with cleaning and doing laundry, I can't rest at all.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceAbilityDaily Life

嬉しいやら悲しいやら、複雑な気持ちだ。

I have mixed feelings, something like happy and sad at the same time.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology

新しいプロジェクトの準備で、資料集めやら会議やら、毎日忙しいです。

In preparation for the new project, I'm busy every day with gathering materials, having meetings, and so on.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & Career Business & Finance

彼は一体どこへ行ったのやら、誰も知らない。

As for where on earth he went, nobody knows.

NeutralPastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships

This grammar shows you feel a bit stressed. It is like when you have too many things to do. You feel busy or mixed up by the things you list.

Use this when you want to show why something happened. The things you list cause the main event. It shows a messy or busy situation. This helps explain why you are busy, tired, or confused.