Japanese word

あれこれ

Pronunciation

Romajiarekore

Meaning

  • adverbthis and that

Example

友達とあれこれ話します。tomo dachi to a re ko re hana shi ma su

I talk with my friend about this and that.

Illustration for あれこれ (this and that)

More examples

旅行の準備についてあれこれ考えています。ryo kō no jun bi ni tsu i te a re ko re kanga e te i ma su

I am thinking about various things related to preparing for the trip.

Core concept

あれこれ (arekore) refers broadly to several matters considered together rather than to one specified matter.

Common phrases

  • あれこれ話すa re ko re hana su

    talk about this and that

  • あれこれ考えるa re ko re kanga e ru

    think about this and that

  • あれこれ言うa re ko re i u

    say various things

Similar words

いろいろiroiro: It refers to many different matters, kinds, or aspects without naming them individually.
あれやこれやareyakoreya: It refers casually to a number of different matters that come to mind together.
何かとnankato: It refers to various matters that affect a situation in different ways.

Definition in Japanese

一つの事柄に限定せず、さまざまな事柄をまとめて指すこと。hito tsu no koto gara ni gen tei se zu sa ma za ma na koto gara o ma to me te sa su ko to

Word origin

あれこれ (arekore) is formed from あれ (are, "that") and これ (kore, "this"), whose contrast broadens the meaning to things of various kinds.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, あれこれ (arekore) often appears before a verb when several unspecified details or activities are involved.

Other meanings

  • one thing or anotheradverb

Word lists with this word