noun
endless variety of forms; multifariousness
A yojijukugo (four-character compound) used to describe an immense diversity of shapes, appearances, or states. Often found in literary or formal descriptions.
自然界には千態万状の生き物が存在する。
In the natural world, there exists an endless variety of living things.
彼の作品は千態万状で、見る者を飽きさせない。
His works are multifarious, never boring the viewer.
A yojijukugo composed of 千 (thousand), 態 (appearance/state), 万 (ten thousand), and 状 (form/condition), literally meaning 'a thousand states and ten thousand forms'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of using large numbers to express abundance.