Ever finished a big task and sighed with relief?
Or felt exasperated after someone repeated the same mistake?
That’s when Japanese speakers often say “Yare Yare” (やれやれ) — an interjection that captures feelings of relief, weariness, or mild frustration.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Yare Yare” (やれやれ)?
It’s used in three main ways:
- Relief: “Phew, it’s finally over.”
- Exhaustion: “Man, that was tough.”
- Exasperation: “Oh dear… not again.”
Pronunciation
yah-reh yah-reh
(Say it while exhaling slightly, like a sigh of relief or weariness.)
Categories
Feeling / Impression
Not an Onomatopoeia!
Although it sounds like an onomatopoeia, “yare yare” is an interjection — a spoken reaction that expresses emotion directly.
What Does “Yare Yare” Look Like?
It looks like a person sitting down after finishing a long task.
Like a teacher watching mischievous students and sighing.
Like someone caught in an endless hassle but still managing to laugh it off.
How Do You Say It?
Say it with a sigh:
Yare… yare…
Like putting down a heavy bag,
or seeing something troublesome repeat itself:
Yare yare…
Example in Daily Life
Example: Missed the train
He ran as fast as he could,
but the train doors closed in his face.
“Yare yare…” he sighed.
Cultural Note
In English, “yare yare” can be translated differently depending on the situation:
- Phew (relief)
- Oh dear (mild exasperation)
- Good grief (frustration, comic tone)
It’s also a phrase that became globally recognized thanks to manga/anime (e.g., JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure), where a main character uses it frequently. That gave “yare yare” a cool, slightly iconic image overseas.
Watch & Feel the “Yare Yare” World!
Feel the “yare yare” — the sigh, the shrug, the little pause.
Sometimes it’s tired, sometimes it’s funny — but always, it expresses what words alone can’t.
Try Using It!
When you flop onto the couch after work…
When your friend tells you the same silly story again…
When something doesn’t go your way, but it’s not serious…
Say it with a sigh:
Yare yare〜
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