Japanese word

いろいろ

Pronunciation

Romajiiroiro

Meaning

  • na-adjectivevarious, many different

Example

いろいろな本があります。i ro i ro na hon ga a ri ma su

There are various books.

Illustration for いろいろ (various)

More examples

いろいろな色があります。i ro i ro na iro ga a ri ma su

There are many different colors.

休日はいろいろなことをして過ごします。kyū jitsu wa i ro i ro na ko to o shi te su go shi ma su

I spend my days off doing various things.

Core concept

Describes a range that includes different kinds or examples rather than just one.

Common phrases

  • いろいろなことi ro i ro na ko to

    various things

  • いろいろな話i ro i ro na hanashi

    various stories

  • いろいろな場所i ro i ro na ba sho

    various places

  • いろいろな人i ro i ro na hito

    various people

Similar words

様々samazama: Describes many different kinds or forms, often in formal or written language.
多様tayō: Describes a range that has many different forms, types, or features.

Definition in Japanese

種類や内容などが一つに限らず、さまざまであるさま。shu rui ya nai yō na do ga hito tsu ni kagi ra zu sa ma za ma de a ru sa ma

Word origin

いろいろ (iroiro) is formed by repeating 色 (iro, "color"), expressing a range of different colors and, by extension, different kinds.

Usage tips

  • As a na-adjective, いろいろ (iroiro) is followed by な (na) before a noun, as in いろいろな本 (iroiro na hon).

Other meanings

  • a variety ofna-adjective
  • all sorts ofna-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word