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似たり寄ったり (にたりよったり) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
much the same ; not much difference
Used when comparing two or more things that are so similar that there is little to choose between them. Often carries a slightly dismissive or resigned tone.
似に
たり
寄よ
っ
たり
だ
。
These two smartphones are about the same in performance.
Written forms 似に たり 寄よ ったり
似に たりよったり
Variant spelling using kana for 寄.
Kanji 似 becoming, resemble, counterfeit 寄 draw near, stop in, bring near Similar words 似に る 似る is a verb meaning 'to resemble' or 'to be similar'. 似たり寄ったり is a set phrase emphasizing that things are so similar they are practically interchangeable.
大だい 同どう 小しょう 異い 大同小異 is a more formal four-character compound with a similar meaning, but 似たり寄ったり is more colloquial and often implies a slight negative nuance.
Etymology A set phrase combining the verb 似る (to resemble) and 寄る (to approach, to be similar), both in the たり form, creating a rhythmic expression meaning 'resembling and approaching', i.e., very similar.
