()たり()ったり

にたりよったり
expression
much the same; six of one, half a dozen of the other
idiom
1. much the same; about the same; six of one, half a dozen of the other
Used when two or more things are so similar that there is no meaningful difference between them. Often implies that none of the options is particularly good.
どちらも()たり()ったりだ。
They're both much the same.
値段(ねだん)どの(みせ)()たり()ったりだった。
The prices were about the same at every store.
候補者(こうほしゃ)主張(しゅちょう)どれも()たり()ったりで、(ちが)わからなかった。
The candidates' positions were all much the same, and I couldn't tell the difference.

Combines ()たり (being similar) and ()たり (being close), reinforcing the idea of near-identical similarity. The たり form of both verbs creates a rhythmic, set expression.

Usage

Often carries a slightly dismissive or negative nuance — implying that none of the options stands out or that they are all equally mediocre. Used as a predicate with だ or as a modifier with .

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 大同小異(だいどうしょうい) — much the same with minor differences (more formal, literary)
  • 五十歩百歩(ごじっぽひゃっぽ) — pot calling the kettle black; equally bad (stronger negative nuance)
  • (おな)ようなもの — about the same thing (plain, neutral)