Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of 'various' in Japanese, from common adjectives to more specific expressions for diversity and variety.
The speaker wants to say there are multiple different types or instances of something, without specifying them.
The most common and versatile way to say 'various'. It is a na-adjective and can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
I traveled to various countries.
This store has various kinds of cheese.
Slightly more formal than いろいろな, but still very common. Emphasizes diversity and variety.
It's important to listen to various opinions.
Various causes can be considered for this problem.
Kanji form of いろいろな. Same meaning and usage, but the kanji version can appear more formal in writing.
I want to gain various experiences.
The speaker wants to stress that there is a wide range of different things, often with a nuance of 'all sorts of'.
Means 'diverse' or 'varied'. Often used in formal or academic contexts to describe a wide range of types.
Various cultures coexist in this region.
We need to meet various needs.
A formal, written expression meaning 'various' or 'a variety of'. Often used in reports or literature.
A prefix meaning 'various' or 'many', used in formal or literary contexts. Attaches to nouns.
Solve various problems.
The speaker wants to refer to 'various things' without specifying them, often as the subject or object.
The speaker wants to refer to a diverse group of people.
Both mean 'various', but いろいろな is more colloquial and everyday, while 様々な is slightly more formal and emphasizes diversity. In casual speech, いろいろな is preferred.
I heard various stories.
We need to examine it from various perspectives.
English 'various' can sometimes be used as an adverb (e.g., 'variously described'), but in Japanese, you usually need an adjective form like いろいろな or an adverbial phrase like いろいろと. Do not use いろいろ directly before a noun without な.
There are various reasons.
We talked about various things.
Various problems remain.
The plan was canceled for various reasons.
I thought about various things, but I decided to go after all.
様々なことがあった一年だった。
It was a year of various happenings.
A set phrase meaning 'men and women of all ages', i.e., all sorts of people. Used in formal contexts.
It's a movie that can be enjoyed by various people (all ages and genders).