STRUCTURE
N／普通形＋やら＋N／普通形＋やら
雑多に並べる。多く困惑・煩雑
HOW TO USE IT
- やら follows a noun or the plain form of a verb or adjective, usually twice: N1やらN2やら.
- It lists a few examples from a jumble of things. The listener understands there are others too.
- It usually carries a sense of being busy, tired or confused. 忙しい, 大変だ or わけが分からない often follows.
- It is also used for mixed feelings: うれしいやら恥ずかしいやら.
WATCH OUT
×彼女は料理やら上手なら、掃除やら得意だ。
○彼女は料理も上手なら、掃除も得意だ。
The "both ~ and ~" pattern with ば／なら uses も (も～ば～も), not やら.
×宿題やら試験やらで、毎日とても楽だ。
○宿題やら試験やらで、毎日とても忙しい。
やら～やら lists things that keep you busy and flustered, so 楽だ does not fit the meaning.
Examples
机の上は本やら書類やらで、足の踏み場もない。
つくえのうえはほんやらしょるいやらで、あしのふみばもない。
The desk is buried under books and papers and who knows what.
引っ越しの準備やら子どもの世話やらで、毎日疲れています。
ひっこしのじゅんびやらこどものせわやらで、まいにちつかれています。
What with preparing to move and looking after the kids, I'm tired every day.
駅で財布をなくすやら電車に遅れるやらで、ひどい一日だった。
えきでさいふをなくすやらでんしゃにおくれるやらで、ひどいいちにちだった。
What with losing my wallet at the station and missing the train, it was an awful day.
Often confused with
How each pair differs, with the exam trap in context, is in the Toey lesson.
Practise ～やら～やら with drills and review
Start free with N5. N2 drills, audio and review are in JLPT Pro.
Start free →