たり～たりするRepresentative actions or states
Use this pattern to give representative examples of actions or states. The list is intentionally incomplete, and the order of its items does not normally show the order in which things happen.
A sample, not a complete list
The speaker chooses a few typical possibilities rather than naming everything. English translations therefore often use “do things like,” “sometimes,” or “among other things,” depending on the context.
Representative actions
休みの日は、公園を歩いたり、カフェで本を読んだりします。
On my days off, I do things like walk in the park and read at a café.
AnalyzeThese are examples of possible activities, not necessarily the complete plan for the day.
夕食のあと、音楽を聞いたりします。
After dinner, I sometimes do things like listen to music.
AnalyzeA single item is possible when other comparable activities are left understood.
States can be sampled too
Although verbs are especially common, adjectives and nouns can also describe a changing or varied set of representative states. Keep the items comparable: they should all make sense as possible descriptions of the same thing.
山の天気は、暖かかったり寒かったり、雨だったりします。
Mountain weather can be warm, cold, rainy, and so on.
AnalyzeThis combines two i-adjective states with a noun-based state.
Representative list or ordered sequence?
たり～たりする gives an unordered sample of activities. When the order or direct connection between actions matters, use a て-form sequence instead.
朝起きて、顔を洗って、朝ご飯を食べました。
I got up in the morning, washed my face, and ate breakfast.
AnalyzeThis sentence presents a natural chronological sequence rather than a sample of possible activities.
More examples
週末は料理をしたり、友達と出かけたりします。
On weekends, I do things like cook and go out with friends.
Analyze昨日は音楽を聞いたり、本を読んだりしました。
Yesterday, I did things like listen to music and read a book.
Analyzeこの店の料理は辛かったり、甘かったりします。
The food at this restaurant varies: some dishes are spicy, some are sweet, and so on.
Analyze会議はオンラインだったり、対面だったりします。
Meetings may be online, in person, or in another format.
Analyze夜はお茶を飲んだりします。
At night, I sometimes do things like drink tea.
Analyze子供たちは走ったり、ボールで遊んだりしていました。
The children were doing things like running around and playing with a ball.
Analyze