Translation guide
The English phrase "this and that" refers to various unspecified things, often used when the details are unimportant or when one wants to be vague. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through several common phrases and patterns that convey a similar sense of miscellaneous or assorted matters.
Referring to a collection of miscellaneous, often trivial, things or topics.
A very common and natural way to say 'this and that' or 'various things'. It can be used as a noun or adverb.
あれこれ考えすぎないで。
Don't overthink this and that.
あれこれと買い物をした。
I bought this and that (various things).
Means 'various' or 'all sorts of'. Very versatile and can be used in many contexts to mean 'this and that'.
いろいろありがとう。
Thanks for this and that (everything).
週末はいろいろと用事がある。
I have this and that to do over the weekend.
Similar to あれこれ, but slightly more emphatic or colloquial. Often implies a flurry of various activities or items.
あれやこれやで忙しい。
I'm busy with this and that.
Means 'one thing or another', 'this and that'. Often used when recounting various happenings or expenses.
何やかやとお金がかかる。
It costs money for this and that.
Adverbial form emphasizing a sequence of various things. Slightly more literary or emphatic.
あれやこれやと思い悩む。
To worry about this and that.
Used when chatting about miscellaneous topics without specifying details.
Works perfectly in casual conversation to mean 'this and that'.
あれこれ話した。
We talked about this and that.
Literally 'rambling things', used to describe chatting about this and that without a specific point.
とりとめのないことを話して過ごした。
We spent time talking about this and that.
Both mean 'this and that' or 'various things'. あれこれ is slightly more colloquial and often implies a scattered assortment, while いろいろ is more neutral and can be used in formal contexts. あれこれ is often used with と (あれこれと), while いろいろ can be used with な (いろいろな) to modify nouns.
Do not translate 'this and that' literally as これとあれ. While understandable, it sounds unnatural. Use the phrases above instead.
あれこれおしゃべりした。
We chatted about this and that.
今日はいろいろやることがある。
I have to do this and that today.