Processing keyword: ～たり～たり (〜tari 〜tari)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～たり～たり (〜tari 〜tari)

1. Introduction

The grammar pattern ～たり～たり is a versatile structure used in Japanese to list multiple actions or states among others. It expresses that someone does things like A and B, or that something sometimes is A and sometimes is B. This pattern often conveys a non-exhaustive list of activities or states, highlighting variety or fluctuation.

---

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

Meaning

• Listing multiple actions or states among others: The pattern is used to mention several actions or conditions as examples, implying that there are other activities or states not listed.
• Expressing fluctuation: It can indicate that something alternates between different states.

Structure

The pattern is formed by:

1. Taking the plain past form (た-form) of verbs or adjectives.
2. Adding り (ri) after each verb or adjective.
3. Ending the sentence with する (suru) or an appropriate verb.

Formation Diagram

[Verb/Adjective た-form] + り + [Verb/Adjective た-form] + り + する

Example Formation:

• 食べる (to eat) → 食べた (ate) → 食べたり
• 飲む (to drink) → 飲んだ (drank) → 飲んだり
• 食べたり飲んだりする (do things like eating and drinking)

Visual Aids

Conjugation Table

Verb (Dictionary Form)	た-form (Past Plain)	たり-form
行く (iku)	行った (itta)	行ったり
見る (miru)	見た (mita)	見たり
来る (kuru)	来た (kita)	来たり
する (suru)	した (shita)	したり

---

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Similar Grammar Points

• ～し～し: Used to list reasons or attributes, emphasizing a cumulative effect.
  • Examples: 安いし、美味しいし (It's cheap and delicious).
• ～や～など: Used to list nouns non-exhaustively.
  • Examples: 本やノートなど (books, notebooks, and so on).
• ～とか～とか: Similar to ～たり～たり but more casual and often used for nouns.
  • Examples: 寿司とかラーメンとか食べた (I ate sushi, ramen, and such). Key Difference: ～たり～たり specifically uses verbs and adjectives in their た-form to list actions or states, while others may focus on nouns or reasons.

---

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Casual Conversation
   • 友達と映画を見たり、カフェで話したりした。
   • Tomodachi to eiga o mitari, kafe de hanashitari shita.
   • "I did things like watching movies with friends and chatting at a cafe."
2. Expressing Alternating States
   • 天気は雨が降ったり止んだりしている。
   • Tenki wa ame ga futtari yandari shiteiru.
   • "The weather keeps raining and stopping (alternating between rain and no rain)."
3. Formal Writing
   • 週末は読書をしたり、美術館を訪れたりします。
   • Shūmatsu wa dokusho o shitari, bijutsukan o otozuretari shimasu.
   • "On weekends, I do things like reading books and visiting art museums."
4. Talking about Past Experiences
   • 子供の頃は、外で遊んだり、自転車に乗ったりした。
   • Kodomo no koro wa, soto de asondari, jitensha ni nottari shita.
   • "When I was a child, I did things like playing outside and riding a bicycle."
5. Describing Future Plans
   • 夏休みは海に行ったり、山に登ったりするつもりです。
   • Natsuyasumi wa umi ni ittari, yama ni nobottari suru tsumori desu.
   • "During summer vacation, I plan to do things like going to the sea and climbing mountains."

---

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, expressing oneself indirectly is common. The ～たり～たり pattern allows speakers to give examples without committing to an exhaustive list, which is polite and non-assertive. It aligns with the cultural value of ambiguity and understatement.

• Politeness Levels: While the basic structure remains the same, the ending (like します vs. する) adjusts the politeness level.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 行ったり来たりする
  • Ittari kitari suru
  • "To go back and forth"
  • Example: 人々が駅を行ったり来たりしている。
    • Hitobito ga eki o ittari kitari shiteiru.
    • "People are going back and forth at the station."

---

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Using the Dictionary Form Instead of the た-form
   • Incorrect: 食べるり、飲むりする。
   • Correct: 食べたり、飲んだりする.
2. Forgetting to Add り after Each Verb
   • Incorrect: 歌った、踊ったりした。
   • Correct: 歌ったり、踊ったりした.
3. Not Ending with する (or Appropriate Verb)
   • Incorrect: 勉強したり、本を読んだり。
   • Correct: 勉強したり、本を読んだりした。

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Remember that た becomes たり. If you can get to the past tense (た-form), just add り.
• Practice Conjugation: Regularly practice converting verbs to their た-form and then to the たり-form.
• Create Personal Sentences: Make sentences about your daily activities using ～たり～たり to reinforce usage.

---

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Usage: ～たり～たり is used to list examples of actions or states among others.
• Formation: Convert verbs/adjectives to the た-form, add り, and end with する.
• Flexibility: Can be used in various contexts—past, present, future intentions.
• Cultural Aspect: Reflects the non-assertive and indirect communication style in Japanese.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the たり-form of a verb?
   • Answer: Convert the verb to its plain past (た-form) and add り.
2. Translate the following sentence using ～たり～たり:
   • "On my day off, I relax by doing things like watching TV and sleeping."
   • Possible Answer: 休みの日はテレビを見たり、寝たりしてくつろぎます。
3. Identify and correct the error:
   • Sentence: 週末に買い物したり、レストランで食べたり。
   • Correction: 週末に買い物したり、レストランで食べたりしました。

---

By mastering the ～たり～たり pattern, you can express a range of activities and states in a nuanced and natural way, enriching your Japanese communication skills.

---

© Hanabira.org