Beginning Japanese Phrases #210: 〜たり 〜たりする (doing things like A and B, alternating or listing multiple actions)

Today's podcast covers:

〜たり 〜たりする — doing things like A and B, alternating or listing multiple actions

This grammar pattern is used to list multiple actions or states in a non-exhaustive way, implying there are other similar activities as well. It is formed by attaching tari to the ta-form of verbs or adjectives and closing with suru. The sound changes to da after certain sounds.

Example: 週末は音楽を聴いたり、本を読んだりします。On weekends, I do things like listen to music and read books.

Vocabulary:

週末は — on weekends

音楽を — music (object marker)

聴いたり — listen (listed action)

本を — book (object marker)

読んだりします — read, and so on (closing the pattern with suru)

Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com