やら

Freq.FrequencyTop 500

Meanings

and; such things as; what with

Listing particle used in the pattern AやらBやら to give non-exhaustive examples, often implying a mixture or variety. Can carry a nuance of being overwhelmed or bothered by the listed items.

机つくえの上うえには本ほんやらノートやらが散ちらかっている。
Books, notebooks, and such are scattered on the desk.
引ひっ越こしで服ふくやら家か具ぐやらを運はこぶのに一いち日にちかかった。
It took a whole day to move clothes, furniture, and the like during the move.

particle

or something; I wonder

Expresses uncertainty or vagueness, often attached to a question word or a noun. Common in the pattern とやら to indicate hearsay or a vague recollection.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉やら〈物もの〉やらthings like A and B (among others, often with a sense of clutter or being overwhelmed)
部屋へやには本ほんやら服ふくやらが散ちらばっていた。
Books, clothes, and who knows what else were scattered around the room.
〈疑ぎ問もん詞し〉やらan uncertain sense of 'or something' attached to a question word
彼かれは何なにやら考かんがえ込こんでいる様よう子すだった。
He seemed to be lost in thought about something or other.
〈動どう詞し〉やら〈動どう詞し〉やらwhat with doing A and doing B (expressing being busy or flustered)
泣なくやら笑わらうやら、大たい変へんな一いち日にちだった。
What with crying and laughing, it was quite a day.

Grammar

やらand what not; who knowsN2

Related words

とか sense 1
とか is the common, casual listing particle for giving examples, while やら suggests a more chaotic or unwelcome mix of things.
か sense 2
か attached to a question word expresses simple uncertainty (何か, いつか), while やら (何やら, いつやら) adds a vaguer, more musing tone.
だの sense 1
だの lists examples with a critical or complaining tone, whereas やら is more neutral though it can still hint at being overwhelmed.

Etymology

Derived from the classical auxiliary verb や (expressing doubt or question) combined with the particle ら (indicating plurality or vagueness). The exact historical development is uncertain, but it has been used as a listing and uncertainty particle since at least the Edo period.