〜だの〜だの
dano ... dano
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
X and Y and so on (with annoyance); things like X and Y
〜だの〜だの lists examples the speaker finds tiresome: 給料が安いだの休みが少ないだの、文句ばかり = "low pay, few holidays, and so on: nothing but complaints". It works like とか〜とか but with a dismissive, fed-up tone. The list is usually followed by と言う / 文句を言う / うるさい.
Casual spoken Japanese, complaints about someone's demands, excuses, or clutter. Attaches to nouns and plain forms (adjectives and verbs). Not for neutral lists or polite speech.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
N + だの + N + だの普通形 + だの + 普通形 + だの (安いだの少ないだの)Followed by: と言う / と文句を言う / とうるさい / と、〜Also a single だの: 〜だのと言って
Visual diagram
| Aspect | pattern | tone | example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜とか〜とか | neutral | everyday | 肉とか魚とかを買う |
| 〜やら〜やら | confused, overwhelmed | many things | 宿題やら部活やらで忙しい |
| 〜だの〜だの | annoyed, dismissive | complaint | 安いだの少ないだのと文句を言う |
Natural examples
彼は給料が安いだの休みが少ないだのと、文句ばかり言っている。
かれはきゅうりょうがやすいだのやすみがすくないだのと、もんくばかりいっている。
He is always complaining about low pay, few holidays, and so on.
Complaints listed with irritation; 文句ばかり makes the tone explicit.
旅行の準備で、着替えだの薬だのと、荷物が増える一方だ。
りょこうのじゅんびで、きがえだのくすりだのと、にもつがふえるいっぽうだ。
Preparing for the trip, my luggage keeps growing with clothes, medicine, and what not.
Clutter listed with a sigh: things keep piling up.
好きだの嫌いだのと言わずに、出されたものは食べなさい。
すきだのきらいだのといわずに、だされたものはたべなさい。
Stop saying you like this and hate that; eat what is served.
好きだの嫌いだの: dismissing a child's fussiness.
頭が痛いだの熱があるだのと言って、彼はまた仕事を休んだ。
あたまがいたいだのねつがあるだのといって、かれはまたしごとをやすんだ。
Saying he had a headache, a fever, and so on, he skipped work again.
Excuses listed with suspicion.
結婚式には、ドレスだの会場だの料理だのと、決めることが山ほどある。
けっこんしきには、ドレスだのかいじょうだのりょうりだのと、きめることがやまほどある。
For the wedding there is a mountain of things to decide: the dress, the venue, the food, and so on.
Three items; the tone is overwhelmed.
Similar grammar and the difference
Neutral list of examples. だの adds annoyance. Compare side by side
Lists things that overwhelm or confuse the speaker; less hostile than だの. Compare side by side
Offers alternatives to choose from ("X or Y, either is fine"). Not a complaining list. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- （丁寧に）お茶だのコーヒーだのをご用意しております。
- ✓
- お茶やコーヒーなどをご用意しております。
- Why
- だの is dismissive and casual; polite hospitality needs や〜など.
- ✗
- 安いだの少ないだの、いい会社だ。
- ✓
- 安いだの少ないだのと、文句ばかり言っている。
- Why
- The follow-up should match the annoyed tone (complaints), not praise.
- ✗
- 安だの少なだの
- ✓
- 安いだの少ないだの
- Why
- Adjectives attach in the plain form (安い・少ない), not the stem.
Typical follow-ups: 〜と文句を言う / 〜とうるさい / 〜と言い訳をする / 〜と、きりがない. Two items are standard; three are possible for a stronger sense of endlessness. Used about others' words or demands; using it about your own likes sounds self-mocking.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- In 文法形式の判断, a list of two items followed by 文句 / うるさい / 言い訳 in a casual tone points to だの〜だの.
- Distractor やら〜やら: choose it when the speaker is overwhelmed rather than annoyed at someone.
- In 並べ替え, the two だの chunks come first, then と + the verb of complaining.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜だの〜だの mean?
X and Y and so on (with annoyance); things like X and Y. 〜だの〜だの lists examples the speaker finds tiresome: 給料が安いだの休みが少ないだの、文句ばかり = "low pay, few holidays, and so on: nothing but complaints". It works like とか〜とか but with a dismissive, fed-up tone. The list is usually followed by と言う / 文句を言う / うるさい.
How do you form 〜だの〜だの?
N + だの + N + だの / 普通形 + だの + 普通形 + だの (安いだの少ないだの) / Followed by: と言う / と文句を言う / とうるさい / と、〜 / Also a single だの: 〜だのと言って. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜だの〜だの used?
Casual spoken Japanese, complaints about someone's demands, excuses, or clutter. Attaches to nouns and plain forms (adjectives and verbs). Not for neutral lists or polite speech.
What is the difference between 〜だの〜だの and 〜とか?
Neutral list of examples. だの adds annoyance.
What is the difference between 〜だの〜だの and 〜やら〜やら?
Lists things that overwhelm or confuse the speaker; less hostile than だの.
What is a common mistake with 〜だの〜だの?
Wrong: （丁寧に）お茶だのコーヒーだのをご用意しております。 Right: お茶やコーヒーなどをご用意しております。 だの is dismissive and casual; polite hospitality needs や〜など.
Quick check
彼は疲れた（ ）眠い（ ）と言って、何も手伝わない。