なんやかや

also: なにやかや

Meanings

expression, adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb

this and that; one thing or another; various things

usually written using kana alone

Used to refer to a mix of unspecified things, often in casual conversation. Can imply a vague collection of items or topics.

なんやかやと忙いそがしくて、連れん絡らくできなかった。
I was busy with this and that and couldn't get in touch.
冷れい蔵ぞう庫こに、なんやかや残のこってるから、それで夕ゆう飯はんを作つくろう。
There are various things left in the fridge, so let's make dinner with them.

Written forms

なにやかや
Alternate reading; less common but still encountered.
何やかや
- なんやかや
  Kanji spelling; readable but less common than kana.
- なにやかや
何や彼や
rarely-used kanji form
- なんやかや
  Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
- なにやかや

Kanji

何what
彼he, that, the

Similar words

あれこれ
Similar meaning, but あれこれ is more neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. なんやかや is more colloquial and often carries a slightly vague or dismissive tone.
いろいろ
A general word for 'various'; なんやかや is more informal and often implies a scattered or unspecified assortment.

Etymology

A reduplicative phrase combining the interrogative 何 (nani) with the particle や and the demonstrative 彼 (ka), literally 'what and that'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it functions as a colloquial set phrase.