あれやこれや

あれやこれや
noun, adverb
this and that; various things; one thing and another
communication
1. this and that; various things; one thing and another
An expression referring to a variety of different things, matters, or concerns without specifying them individually.
あれやこれや(いそが)しい
I'm busy with this and that.
あれやこれや(かんが)えているうち(よる)()けてしまった。
While I was thinking about one thing and another, dawn came.
Buying this and that in preparation for the move ended up costing more than I expected.

Formed from あれ (that) + や (and) + これ (this) + や (and). Often followed by the particle when used adverbially. Conveys a sense of dealing with multiple scattered matters, often with a nuance of being overwhelmed or busy. Can be used both for physical things and abstract concerns.

Usage

  • あれやこれや + verb: doing various things
  • あれやこれやで + result: because of various things

Similar words

  • あれこれ: this and that — shorter, more common form with essentially the same meaning
  • 色々(いろいろ): various — more neutral, simply indicating variety without the scattered nuance
  • (なに)や: one thing or another — similar nuance of miscellaneous items or concerns