Meaning
〜やら…やら is used to mention two representative examples of things, actions, or qualities while suggesting there are others not mentioned. It creates a sense of 'both this and that' or 'doing various things.' This pattern works with verbs, i-adjectives, and nouns, and the repeated やら emphasizes the multiple or varied nature of what's being described.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 动词辞书形 | やら…やら |
| い形容词 | やら…やら |
| 名词 | やら…やら |
Examples
-
昨日双子の姉妹を見ました。どちらが姉やら妹やら全然わかりません。
I saw twin sisters yesterday. I couldn't tell at all which one was the older sister and which was the younger sister. -
昨日は久しぶりの同窓会だった。飲むやら歌うやらで大盛り上がりだった。
Yesterday's class reunion was fun. We did various things—drinking, singing, and such—and had a great time. -
あの夫婦は、テニスやらピアノやらを息子に習わせたいようだ。
That couple seems to want their son to learn various things like tennis and piano.
Summary
- Pairs two representative examples with やら…やら to imply additional unstated examples
- Used with verb dictionary form, i-adjectives, or nouns to describe multiple related actions or things
- Creates a casual, inclusive tone suggesting 'this and that and such things' rather than a complete list