# やれ～やれ: pattern to give two representative examples (usually negative) > Learn how to use やれ～やれ, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning giving two representative examples, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-yare-yare/ **やれ～やれ** means **pattern to give two representative examples (usually negative)**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to list a pair (or more) of typical annoyances, complaints, or nuisances and then add a negative comment, implying “there are many such things.” This grammar point often appears in casual complaints, narrative, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that you (or someone) are rattling off a stream of grievances, **やれ～やれ** is a useful pattern to learn because it packs a distinctly critical, exasperated punch that a simple listing word cannot deliver. ## What does やれ～やれ mean? Use **やれ～やれ** when you want to present two (or more) representative examples of something negative—typically complaints, problems, or annoying demands—and then tie them together with a negative evaluation. The pattern says: “Whether it’s A or B (and many others like them), the situation is bothersome / tiring / unacceptable.” Natural translations include: - such things as A and B - this and that, like … - one thing then another, like … The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to hear the speaker’s irritation, then choose an English phrase that captures that tone. ## How to form やれ～やれ The pattern uses the particle やれ twice (or more) before nouns or noun‑like phrases, then closes with a negative predicate. It can also introduce verb phrases with と for quoting complaints.
やれ + Noun A 、 やれ + Noun B ( + など ) + negative statement
Examples of the pattern: - やれ仕事(しごと)だ、やれ家事(かじ)だ - やれ値段(ねだん)が高い(たかい)、やれ味(あじ)が悪い(わるい) - やれ書類(しょるい)が足り(たり)ない、やれ印鑑(いんかん)がない When the examples are actual utterances (someone’s words), と often appears right after the final やれ‑phrase before the negative comment: やれ「早く(はやく)しろ」、やれ「遅い(おそい)」**と**、文句(もんく)ばかり言う(ゆう)。 ## When is やれ～やれ used? Use **やれ～やれ** in situations like: - complaining that there is always something to criticize or deal with - describing a person who constantly finds fault - listing typical nuisances of daily life, work, or bureaucracy - expressing frustration that the examples given are just the tip of the iceberg Tone and register: - casual to familiar; often spoken griping, but also appears in written narrative and essays when the writer wants to sound colorful - carries a strong negative emotional charge—exasperation, irritation, or a resigned “here we go again” feeling - Common in test questions, daily conversation, and JLPT N1 reading ## やれ～やれ example sentences
仕し事ごとだ、家か事じだと、毎まい日にち忙いそがしい。
With work, then housework, I’m busy every day.
#daily　#complaint
値段ねだんが高たかい、味あじが悪わるいと、文もん句くばかり言いう。
“It’s expensive,” “It tastes bad”—he does nothing but complain.
#criticism　#quoted speech
書しょ類るいが足たりない、印いん鑑かんがないと、手続てつづきが面倒めんどうだ。
Missing documents, no seal stamp—the procedure is a pain.
#bureaucracy　#nuisance
寒さむい、暑あついと、よくそんなこと言いえるね。
“I’m cold,” “I’m hot”—how can you keep saying things like that?
#exasperation
子こ供どもが泣ないた、近所きんじょがうるさいと、引ひっ越こしたいらしい。
The children cry, the neighbors are noisy—she seems to want to move.
#living environment　#list of complaints
After reading each sentence, ask what job **やれ～やれ** is doing: it lists two typical gripes and implies that the speaker/writer finds the whole situation unmanageable or tiresome. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of やれ～やれ The key nuance is **presenting representative annoyances to paint a picture of a larger, frustrating problem**. The examples are never the full set; they are a shorthand for “and there are plenty more where those came from.” This matters because learners often treat やれ～やれ as just another way to say “and,” but the pattern always carries a critical, fed-up tone. You would not use it for a positive enumeration (e.g., hobbies, reasons for happiness). For example: - やれケーキが美味しい(おいしい)、やれ紅茶(こうちゃ)が香ばしい(こうばしい) → sounds unnatural because the items are positive and the tone doesn’t match. - やれ虫(むし)が入っ(はいっ)た、やれ茶碗(ちゃわん)が欠け(かけ)てる → natural, because the items are complaints. ## やれ～やれ vs ～とか～とか Both patterns list examples, but they differ dramatically in emotional weight.
やれ～やれ
negative, exasperated listing
When you want to complain or criticize; the items are a small sample of many troubles.
やれ値段(ねだん)が高い(たかい)、やれ味(あじ)が悪い(わるい)と、文句(もんく)ばかり言う(ゆう)。
He does nothing but complain—the price, the taste…
vs
～とか～とか
neutral enumeration
Simply giving a few examples without any built-in criticism.
値段(ねだん)が高い(たかい)とか味(あじ)が悪い(わるい)とかいう意見(いけん)があった。
There were opinions like “the price is high” and “the taste is bad.”
If both translations seem possible, check the tone: is the speaker merely listing facts, or are they venting? The venting tone demands やれ～やれ. ## Common mistakes with やれ～やれ Watch out for these mistakes:
❌ やれ楽たのしい、やれ美味おいしいと、いいことばかり。 Using やれ～やれ for purely positive things contradicts its critical, fed-up nuance.
✅ やれうるさい、やれ汚い(きたない)と、不満ふまんばかりだ。
❌ やれ仕事しごとが多おおい。 The pattern requires at least two examples to imply “and the list goes on.”
✅ やれ仕事しごとが多い(おおい)、やれ休やすみがないと、疲つかれてしまう。
❌ やれと走はしれ。(confusing やれ with the imperative of やる) やれ as a command (“Do it!”) is unrelated; the listing particle only appears in the やれ～やれ pattern.
✅ やれ走はしれ、やれ飛とべと、命令めいれいばかりだ。
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **やれ～やれ**, then rewrite it with **～とか～とか**. If the irritation disappears, you’ve correctly pinpointed what やれ～やれ adds. ## Is やれ～やれ on the JLPT?
N1

Yes. やれ～やれ is taught at the JLPT N1 level.

🧠 Recognize it in reading and listening
🧠 Understand its negative, exasperated nuance
🧠 Identify it in rephrasing questions

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you can detect the complaining tone and choose the appropriate follow-up reaction.

## Practice questions for やれ～やれ Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
1
Use やれ～やれ in a sentence about a typical day at work or school that frustrates you.
#daily　#complaint
2
Write a sentence where someone criticizes a restaurant using やれ～やれ.
#criticism
3
Compare やれ～やれ with ～とか～とか in a short exchange. Show how replacing one with the other changes the feeling.
#comparison
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the exasperated nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for やれ～やれ To learn **やれ～やれ** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with neutral listing patterns, and finally practice in context.
1
Memorize the pattern: やれ + Noun A、やれ + Noun B + negative comment. Say it to yourself a few times without looking.
2
Write a few pairs of common complaints (work, weather, chores). Build a sentence where the items are clearly negative.
3
Compare your やれ～やれ sentence with a neutral ～とか～とか version. Feel how the mood shifts from venting to simply listing facts.
4
Listen for やれ～やれ in anime, dramas, or casual conversations. When you hear someone rattling off gripes, notice if this pattern pops up.
## Related grammar to review next - [ようが～ようが／ようと～ようと](/blog/n1-you-ga-you-ga-you-to-you-to/) — because it also uses a paired structure to list opposing conditions, often with a critical or determined tone - [やしない](/blog/n1-ya-shinai/) — because it attaches to verbs to add an emphatic negative, which can appear in a complaining context - [ようが～ようと](/blog/n1-you-ga-you-to/) — a similar conditional pair; understanding it helps you see how N1 patterns often come in balanced pairs - [や否(いな)や](/blog/n1-ya-ina-ya/) — because it also repeats a particle-like element (や) in a fixed pattern, though with a very different meaning ## Learn やれ～やれ with Hane If you want to review **やれ～やれ** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)