〜たり〜たり — Do things like… and… (representative actions)
Lists a non-exhaustive set of representative actions or states, implying there are others too ('do things like X and Y'). Also commonly used for alternating or repeated back-and-forth states.
Structure
[Verb た-form] り + [Verb た-form] り + する
Examples
週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだりします。
Shuumatsu wa eiga wo mitari, hon wo yondari shimasu.
On weekends I do things like watch movies and read books.
見たり + 読んだり + します = representative activities
彼女は笑ったり泣いたりした。
Kanojo wa warattari naitari shita.
She kept laughing and crying (by turns).
alternating states: laughing, then crying
窓を開けたり閉めたりしないでください。
Mado wo aketari shimetari shinaide kudasai.
Please don't keep opening and closing the window.
alternating, repeated actions
• たり〜たりする vs て〜て: たり〜たり implies non-exhaustive examples ('among other things'); て〜て gives a fixed sequence or a complete connected list. • Single たり: 家で本を読んだりする = 'I do things like read at home (and such),' casual, implying more. • The final する carries tense and politeness (します / した / しません).
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones 〜たり〜たり is tested against.
vs て (sequence)
て〜て lists actions in a set order or as an exhaustive chain. たり〜たり lists them as just SOME examples, in no strict order, implying other unstated activities.
vs 〜し〜し
し stacks REASONS supporting a conclusion. たり〜たり lists representative ACTIONS/activities, not reasons.
More grammar patterns
- こと — Nominalizer (turning verbs into nouns)
- ことがある — Have experienced / Sometimes happens
- ことになる — It has been decided / It turns out
- ことにする — Decide to / Make it a rule to
- 〜方 (かた) — Way / Method of doing (how-to)
- ということ — The Fact That / Meaning That
- ところ — About To / In the Middle / Just Finished (Timing)
- と思う — I think / I believe
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