Processing keyword: ～たり、～たり します (〜tari, 〜tari shimasu)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～たり、～たり します (〜tari, 〜tari shimasu)

Grammar Point: ～たり、～たりします (〜tari, 〜tari shimasu)

1. Introduction

The grammar structure ～たり、～たりします (〜tari, 〜tari shimasu) is used to list multiple actions, events, or states. It emphasizes that the actions are not exhaustive, indicating that there are more actions not mentioned.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

• Structure:

  • The basic form for using this grammar point is:
    • Verb (in た-form) + り,
    • followed by ～たり、～たりします.
  • This can be represented as:
    • (Verb in た-form) + り + (Verb in た-form) + り + します

• Meaning:

  • This construction indicates that the speaker performs various actions. It often implies typical or habitual actions and is often used to convey a sense of variety.

Formation Diagram

Here’s a breakdown of the structure:

[Verb 1 in た-form] + り,  
[Verb 2 in た-form] + り + します

For example:

• 食べる (taberu - to eat) → 食べた (tabeta - ate)
• 行く (iku - to go) → 行った (itta - went) So, the expression might look like:
• 食べたり、行ったりします (tabetari, itttari shimasu - I do things like eat and go).

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with 〜たりする (tari suru)

• Similar Point: Both expressions use the verb in the た-form followed by り, but 〜たり、〜たりします emphasizes that you are performing a variety of actions, while 〜たりする might simply list acts without the explicit 'doing' context.
  • Example:
    • 友達と遊んだり、勉強したりします。
      (Tomodachi to asondari, benkyou shitari shimasu.)
      (I play with friends and study.)

Comparison with 〜と (to)

• Differences:
  • 〜と is used for listing items or actions as if they are conclusive or exact, whereas 〜たり gives a sense of variety and non-exhaustiveness.
  • Example with 〜と:
    • 日本とアメリカに行った。
      (Nihon to Amerika ni itta.)
      (I went to Japan and America.)

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples:

1. Informal:
   ジョギングをしたり、筋トレをしたりする。
   (Joggingu o shitari, kintore o shitari suru.)
   (I do things like jogging and strength training.)
2. Formal:
   会議で意見を言ったり、質問をしたりします。
   (Kaigi de iken o ittari, shitsumon o shitari shimasu.)
   (I will give opinions and ask questions in the meeting.)
3. Written:
   週末には映画を見たり、本を読んだりします。
   (Shuumatsu ni wa eiga o mitari, hon o yondari shimasu.)
   (On weekends, I watch movies and read books.)
4. Spoken:
   最近、友達とカラオケしたり、飲みに行ったりする。
   (Saikin, tomodachi to karaoke shitari, nomi ni itttari suru.)
   (Recently, I go karaoke and go drinking with friends.)

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• In Japanese culture, the mention of various activities reflects the social inclination toward connecting with friends and maintaining social ties. The use of ～たり can convey a casual and friendly tone.

Levels of Politeness

• It's essential to choose the right level of politeness based on the context. します (shimasu) is a polite form that is appropriate in formal situations.

Idiomatic Expressions

• A common expression is:
  • 毎日運動したり、勉強したりします。
    (Mainichi undou shitari, benkyou shitari shimasu.)
    (I exercise and study every day.)

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• A frequent error is using the non-past form instead of the た-form, leading to incorrect usage.
  • Incorrect: ジョギングをするり、筋トレするりします。
  • Correct: ジョギングをしたり、筋トレをしたりします。

Learning Strategies

• To remember the usage, think of ～たり as a way to express "things like...".
• A mnemonic could be “Tari lists variety”.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• The structure ～たり、～たりします is used for listing various actions.
• It conveys a sense of non-exhaustiveness and variety.
• Use the correct verb conjugation (た-form) to form this structure.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. What verb form is used before たり?
2. Provide a sentence using ～たり、～たりします.
3. Explain when to use ～たり versus 〜と. By understanding and using ～たり、～たりします, you can express a wide range of activities casually or formally in Japanese!