The Japanese verb やる (Yaru) is a versatile verb that means “to do,” “to give,” or “to perform.” While it is similar in meaning to する (Suru), it is generally considered more casual and is often used in informal speech. やる is also used in various set expressions and can convey nuances depending on the context.
Because of its many applications, understanding やる is crucial for learners of Japanese.
Table of Contents
Fundamentals of やる
やる as “To Do” or “To Perform”
In its simplest form, やる means “to do” or “to perform,” much like する. However, it is considered more casual and can sometimes sound rough or blunt, making it more suitable for informal conversations.
Example Sentences:
宿題をやる。
(Shukudai o yaru.)
"I'll do my homework."
もっと練習をやれ。
(Motto renshuu o yare.)
"Practice more!" (Blunt command)やる as “To Give” (Used with Inferiors)
Unlike あげる (Ageru), which is used in polite contexts, やる is used when giving something to animals, plants, or people considered “inferiors” (like children in some cases).
Example Sentences:
犬にエサをやる。
(Inu ni esa o yaru.)
"I give food to the dog."
花に水をやる。
(Hana ni mizu o yaru.)
"I water the flowers."Conjugation of やる
Present Tense (Dictionary Form) – やる/やります
The dictionary form is やる, the polite form to changes やる to やります.
友達とゲームをやる。
(Tomodachi to geemu o yaru.)
"I play a game with my friends."
友達とゲームをやります。
(Tomodachi to geemu o yarimasu.)
"I play a game with my friends."Present Negative – やらない / やりません
To express negative tensive, やる changes to やらin casual speech and やりません in polite speech.
宿題をやらない。
(Shukudai o yaranai.)
"I won’t do my homework."
仕事をやりません。
(Shigoto o yarimasen.)
"I won’t do work." (Polite)Past Tense – やった / やりました
To express the past tense, やる changes to やった in casual speech and やりました in polite speech.
彼は試験をやった。
(Kare wa shiken o yatta.)
"He took the test."
彼女が宿題をやりました。
(Kanojo ga shukudai o yarimashita.)
"She did the homework." (Polite)Past Negative – やらなかった / やりませんでした
To express past negative, やる changes to やらなかった in casual speech and やりませんでした in polite speech.
仕事をやらなかった。
(Shigoto o yaranakatta.)
"I didn’t do the work."
宿題をやりませんでした。
(Shukudai o yarimasen deshita.)
"I didn’t do the homework." (Polite)やる Variations
にやる (ni yaru) – “To give to (someone/something inferior)”
This phrase is commonly used when giving something to animals, plants, or children. It’s often used in contexts where the recipient is considered to be in a lower or subordinate position, or where you want to emphasize a more casual, informal giving action.
猫にミルクをやる。
(Neko ni miruku o yaru.)
"I give milk to the cat."Here, the phrase emphasizes that you are giving something to an animal in a casual way. This usage is very common in everyday speech when taking care of pets or giving things to children.
のをやる (no o yaru) – “To do (something)”
This is used to emphasize a particular action, often in the context of something you’re planning to do or already doing. It’s a way of referring to the act of doing something with a focus on the activity. It often implies that you’re continuing or finishing up an action.
宿題の続きをやる。
(Shukudai no tsuzuki o yaru.)
"I’ll continue my homework."This version puts the focus on the action of continuing or completing part of a task. It’s commonly used when there’s a sense of completion or continuation.
てやる (te yaru) – “To do something for someone” (casual giving)
When you use てやる, it’s a casual and sometimes informal way of expressing that you’ll do something for someone, often with an implication of generosity or assistance. It can also carry a nuance of showing off or doing something because you want to help or because you feel like doing it.
俺が手伝ってやる。
(Ore ga tetsudatte yaru.)
"I'll help you out."This expression is commonly used by men in informal speech. It suggests a sense of casual willingness to offer help, and it’s not as formal or polite as saying 手伝います (tetsudaimasu).
やろう (yarou) – “Let’s do” or “Shall we do?”
This is the volitional form of やる, used to express a suggestion or proposal. It’s often used when making plans or when you’re inviting someone to do something together. It can also show enthusiasm about starting or taking action.
一緒にやろう！
(Issho ni yarou!)
"Let's do it together!"やろう is often used among friends or in casual contexts to suggest or agree on doing something. It’s a way to make a decision or invite others to participate in an activity.
やってくれ (yatte kure) – “Do it for me” (casual request)
This is a more direct and informal way to ask someone to do something for you. It’s often used when you’re requesting something from a close friend, family member, or someone with whom you have an informal relationship. It can sound a bit demanding depending on the tone, but it’s not as rude as it may seem in English because it carries a sense of casualness.
それをやってくれ！
(Sore o yatte kure!)
"Do that for me!"In a situation like this, you’re making a casual but direct request, often used when you trust someone or are in a comfortable setting.
やってみる (yatte miru) – “To try doing something”
This expression combines やる with みる, which adds the sense of trying or attempting something. It’s used when you want to express that you’re going to try doing an action, often because you’re unsure of the result or want to see how it goes. It’s a very common expression in everyday Japanese when testing out something new or untried.
一度やってみる。
(Ichido yatte miru.)
"I'll try doing it once."This suggests that you’re going to attempt something and see how it turns out. It’s not just about deciding, but about taking action with the intention of learning or exploring the outcome.