N1 Listing and Enumeration

やれ〜やれ〜: meaning, usage and examples

やれ〜やれ〜 means: ...and...and... (listing, often with a feeling of being overwhelmed).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. やれ引ひっ越こしの準備じゅんびだ、やれ論文ろんぶんの締しめ切きりだと、最近忙さいきんいそがしい。

   What with preparing to move, the thesis deadline, and so on, I've been busy lately.

2. やれ暑あついだの、やれ虫むしが多おおいだの、彼かれは文句もんくばかりだ。

   It's too hot, there are too many bugs... he's just full of complaints.

3. やれ会議かいぎだ、やれ出張しゅっちょうだと、部長ぶちょうは休やすむ暇ひまもない。

   What with meetings and business trips, the department manager has no time to rest.

4. 母ははは、やれ勉強べんきょうしろ、やれ早はやく寝ねろとうるさい。

   My mother is always nagging me: study, go to bed early, and so on.

When to use it

Lists one demand or event after another to show that someone is busy or nagged without rest. Example: やれ会議かいぎだ、やれ出張しゅっちょうだと、休やすむ暇ひまもない (with meetings and business trips, there is no time to rest). The list often quotes commands or complaints from another person.

Nuance

Conversational and emotional; it carries annoyance or exhaustion. The items are typical examples rather than a full list. Usually ends with と + a verb or a comment on the situation. Can be combined with だの: やれ暑あついだの、やれ寒さむいだの.

Compare

やれ〜やれ〜 stresses a stream of demands: やれ掃除そうじしろ、やれ勉強べんきょうしろとうるさい. だの〜だの is a critical list of complaints or objects: 高たかいだの安やすいだの. やら〜やら is a confused mix: 驚おどろくやら喜よろこぶやら. Do not confuse it with the sigh やれやれ (oh well).

Tip: Put やれ before each item and close with と: やれAだ、やれBだと. Two items are enough to suggest many more.