いろいろ

い

ろ

い

ろ

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 1,000

Meanings

na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

various; a variety of; all sorts of

usually written using kana alone

Describes a range of different things, people, or situations. Used as a na-adjective or with の to modify nouns.

この店みせにはいろいろな種しゅ類るいのパンがあります。
This shop has various kinds of bread.

いろいろな国くにを旅りょ行こうしたいです。

I want to travel to various countries.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

variously; in various ways

usually written using kana alone

Adverbial use describing actions done in many different ways or with variety. Often used with と.

彼かれはその問もん題だいについていろいろと考かんがえた。
He thought about the problem in various ways.
いろいろとお世せ話わになりました。
Thank you for all your help (in many ways).

noun

various things; this and that

usually written using kana alone

Noun usage, often in the pattern 〜のいろいろ to mean 'various things about...' or 'the various aspects of...'. Can also stand alone.

人じん生せいのいろいろを経けい験けんした。
I experienced various things in life.
今日きょうはいろいろと話はなしたいことがある。
I have various things I want to talk about today.

Written forms

いろいろUsage83%
Usually written in kana; the kanji spellings 色々 and 色色 are also used but less common.
色いろ々いろUsage17%
Common kanji spelling, but kana is preferred in most writing.
イロイロUsage<1%
色いろ色いろUsage<1%
Rare kanji spelling; 色々 is the more common kanji form.
色いろいろUsage<1%
search-only kanji form

Kanji

色color

Similar words

様さま々ざま
様々 is more formal and literary than いろいろ, often used in writing or formal speech. いろいろ is more conversational and common in everyday language.
多た様よう
多様 means 'diverse' and emphasizes a wide range of types or varieties, often used in academic or technical contexts. いろいろ is more general and casual.

Etymology

Reduplication of 色 (iro, 'color'), originally meaning 'various colors', which extended to mean 'various things' in general. The kana spelling いろいろ is now standard.