1.
hey!; come now!; oh!
An old-fashioned call that urges, scolds or stops someone, or voices mild surprise or relief. Today it survives mainly in older writing, set phrases, and the doubled form やれやれ.
2.
what with … and …
Repeated before each item (やれ X だ、やれ Y だ) to list one thing after another, usually demands, complaints or chores, with a tone of exasperation.
Sense 1 is best known from the haiku by 小林一茶 in the examples.
Common expressions
- やれやれ: well, well; phew (relief or weary resignation)
- やれ X だ、やれ Y だ: what with X and Y
- やれ X しろ、やれ Y しろ: do X, do Y (a string of orders)
Usage
Sense 2 nearly always lists two or more items and carries a note of complaint; it is common in everyday speech and writing. Sense 1 alone sounds dated.