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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar ～たり～たりします.
On Monday, if classmates or colleagues ask you what you did this weekend, what would you say?
I cleaned the house, did laundry, cooked, and played soccer. Then I met friends for dinner, went shopping, and watched a movie. I also walked the dog and studied Japanese…
You did a lot of things on the weekend, but it would be too long to tell them all.
In that case, you can just say :「ともだちと えいがを みたり、かいものしたり しました。」
Today, let’s learn about "～たり～たりします".
👉<Use>
"～たり～たりします" is used when stating two or more example actions from several actions.
The previous example shows two things from many activities done over the weekend: watching a movie with friends and shopping.
👉<Form>
Add "り" to the verb た-form.
Vた + り 、 Vた + り
映画を見たり、買い物したり
見ます→見た します→した
And the verb "します" is added at the end of the sentence.
"します" conjugates normally :
します (present / future)
しました (past)
したいです (want to)...
⚠"〜たり〜たり" may be used up to two times in a sentence, but in conversation, three or more may be used, or the final "します" may be omitted.
・💁Explanation of Verb たform ↓↓
👉<Examples>
1. きむらさんは、毎晩、本を読んだり、音楽を聞いたりします。
Kimura-san reads books or listens to music every night.
2. 冬はスキーをしたり、温泉に入ったりします。
They might ski or enjoy hot springs in winter.
3. 日曜日は教会に行ったり、公園で散歩したりします。
On Sundays, I go to church and take a walk in the park.
4. 子どもたちは友達と一緒に公園で遊んだり、おしゃべりしたりします。
Children play and chat with friends in the park.
5. 祭りではおどったり、うたったりします。
People dance and sing at the festival.
6. 去年の夏は海で泳いだり、かき氷を食べたりしました。
Last summer we swam in the ocean and ate shaved ice.
7. 誕生日パーティーで友達とケーキを食べたり、ゲームをしたりしました。
I ate cake and played games with my friends at my birthday party.
8. 土曜日はテレビを見たり、公園で運動したりしました。
I watched TV and exercised in the park last Saturday.
9. 旅行では写真を撮ったり、おいしい料理を食べたりしたいです。
I would like to take pictures and eat good food during my trip.
10. 来年の春は花見をしたり、ピクニックをしたりしたいです。
Next spring I would like to go cherry blossom viewing and have a picnic.
Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson19), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
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