たり〜たりする
to do things like A and B
This grammar point is used to express multiple actions or states in a non-exhaustive way. It conveys the idea of doing various activities in a mixed or alternated manner.
Meaning
This grammar point is used to express multiple actions or states in a non-exhaustive way. It conveys the idea of doing various activities in a mixed or alternated manner.
Formation
Explanation
たり〜たりする is a grammatical structure used to express multiple examples or instances of actions. It's often translated to 'things like A and B' in English, indicating that a speaker is referring to various activities without listing them exhaustively.
When using this construction, you combine verbs in the past tense (た form) and pair them with する. This can be used for both favorable and unfavorable actions. For instance, you might say that you enjoy activities like reading and writing, emphasizing the variety of things you do.
- Nuance of Non-Exhaustiveness: It implies that there are other actions that could also fit into the context, but they are not mentioned.
- Common Usage: This pattern is particularly common in conversational Japanese, allowing speakers to highlight activities without detailing every single one.