Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of 'various things' in Japanese, including common words, phrases, and patterns for talking about a variety of items, topics, or matters.
Referring to a variety of things, items, or matters in a general sense.
The most common and versatile way to say 'various things'. Can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Often followed by な when modifying a noun.
いろいろなことを学びました。
I learned various things.
いろいろありがとう。
Thank you for everything (various things).
A slightly more formal alternative to いろいろなもの. 様々 means 'various' and もの means 'things'.
様々なものを経験した。
I experienced various things.
A formal or literary term for 'various things', often used in business or official contexts.
諸々の事情により、中止となりました。
Due to various circumstances, it has been cancelled.
Listing or referring to a number of different items or objects.
Literally 'various things'. 色々 is the kanji form of いろいろ, but the kana version is more common.
店には色々なものが売っている。
The store sells various things.
An informal way to say 'this and that' or 'various things', often used when talking about doing many small tasks or thinking about many things.
あれこれ考えすぎて眠れない。
I can't sleep because I'm thinking about various things too much.
Referring to a range of topics, issues, or subjects.
A casual contraction of いろいろなこと, meaning 'various things' in the sense of matters or topics. Very common in spoken Japanese.
今日はいろんなことを話した。
We talked about various things today.
A more formal version of いろんなこと, suitable for writing or polite speech.
会議では様々なことが議論された。
Various things were discussed at the meeting.
いろいろ is more casual and conversational, while 様々 is more formal and often used in writing. Both mean 'various', but いろいろ can also imply 'many' or 'a lot of'.
いろいろな人が来た。
Various people came. (casual)
様々な人々が集まった。
Various people gathered. (formal)
いろいろ can be used directly before a verb to mean 'in various ways' or 'doing various things'. No particle is needed.
いろいろ考えた。
I thought about various things.
やることがいろいろある。
I have various things to do.
彼女は店でいろいろなものを買った。
She bought various things at the store.