Translation guide
Expresses a wide variety or many different kinds of things, people, or situations. Japanese uses several common patterns depending on whether you are talking about concrete objects, abstract things, or emphasizing diversity.
To say there are many different kinds of something, without strong emphasis on the variety itself.
The most common and neutral way to say 'all sorts of'. Works for both concrete and abstract nouns. いろいろ is a na-adjective meaning 'various'.
この店にはいろいろな種類のチーズがあります。
This store has all sorts of cheese.
He traveled to all sorts of countries.
Similar to いろいろな but slightly more formal or written. Emphasizes diversity more strongly.
この問題にはさまざまな解決策がある。
There are all sorts of solutions to this problem.
Kanji version of いろいろな. Same meaning and usage, but kanji gives a slightly more formal or written feel.
色々な経験を積みたい。
I want to gain all sorts of experience.
To stress that there is a surprisingly large or diverse range of things.
Means 'every possible' or 'all kinds of'. Stronger than いろいろな, implying no exceptions.
あらゆる手段を試した。
I tried all sorts of methods.
この図書館にはあらゆる分野の本がある。
This library has all sorts of books in every field.
A compound meaning 'many kinds and diverse'. Used in formal or written contexts to emphasize variety.
多種多様な商品が並んでいる。
All sorts of products are lined up.
Literally 'various kinds of'. Often used in catalogs or formal descriptions.
各種の書類が必要です。
All sorts of documents are required.
To describe a group consisting of many different types of people or items.
Places いろいろ after the noun with particle も to mean 'there are all sorts of (noun)'. Common in speech.
人もいろいろだ。
There are all sorts of people.
考え方もいろいろある。
There are all sorts of ways of thinking.
Uses さまざま as a predicate to say 'are diverse/various'. Slightly formal.
意見はさまざまだ。
There are all sorts of opinions.
To refer to a miscellaneous collection of things in casual conversation.
Contracted form of いろいろな, very common in spoken Japanese. Casual.
いろんな話を聞いたよ。
I heard all sorts of stories.
Kanji version of いろんな. Same casual feel but sometimes seen in informal writing.
色んな人に会った。
I met all sorts of people.
Do not try to translate 'all sorts of' word-for-word. There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds. Use the patterns above depending on context.
いろいろな is everyday and neutral. さまざまな is slightly more formal and emphasizes diversity. In casual speech, いろんな is most natural.
彼女はいろいろな趣味を持っている。
She has all sorts of hobbies.
いろんなことを話した。
We talked about all sorts of things.