A colloquial verb meaning “to do,” “to undertake,” “to perform,” or “to play/study” (informal alternative to する).
今日の宿題は誰がやるの？
Who is going to do today's homework?
週末はテニスをやる予定です。
I'm planning to play tennis on the weekend.
この仕事は俺がやるよ、心配しないで。
I'll take care of this job, don't worry.
To send or dispatch (something or someone) — to send off or forward.
明日、支店に追加の在庫をやります。
I'll send additional stock to the branch tomorrow.
彼を先にやって、様子を見てください。
Send him ahead and see how things go, please.
To direct or move (one's gaze, head, etc.) — to turn or cast (one's eyes) toward something.
彼女は窓の外に目をやった。
She turned her eyes toward the window.
その話を聞いて、彼は首をやった。
Hearing that, he turned his head.
To give (often to someone of equal or lower status, or to animals); to let have; to bestow.
犬に餌をやるのを忘れないでください。
Don't forget to feed the dog.
子どもにお菓子をやったら満足そうだった。
When I gave the child a snack, he looked satisfied.
報告書を部下にやっておいてください。
Please give (assign) the report to your subordinate.
To make (a vehicle) go faster; to step on the gas (colloquial).
もう少しアクセルをやって、追い越してくれ。
Step on it a bit more and pass them, please.
コーナーを出たら、やってください。
Once we exit the corner, speed up, please.
To run (a business), to operate, to practice a profession — to be engaged in or keep (a business/practice).
あそこの蕎麦屋は父がやっている。
That soba shop over there is run by my father.
彼は小さな工場をやっている。
He runs a small factory.
医者をやるのは大変な仕事だ。
Being a doctor is a tough job.
To have (food or drink), to eat, to drink, or to smoke (colloquial; e.g., 'have a drink').
仕事終わりにみんなで一杯やった。
After work we all had a drink together.
外でたばこを一服やってくる。
I'm going outside to have a cigarette.
昼にラーメンをやってから戻ります。
I'll grab a ramen at lunch and then come back.
To hold or put on a performance; to perform or stage an event (often written 演る).
今夜、あのバンドがライブをやるらしい。
I heard that band is doing a live show tonight.
次の公演で新しい曲をやってみたい。
I want to try performing a new song at the next show.
文化祭で演劇をやることになった。
We've decided to put on a play at the cultural festival.
To ease someone's mind or console someone — to relieve worry or soothe (used figuratively).
悩んでいる弟の話を聞いてやったら、気持ちがだいぶ楽になったようだ。
I listened to my little brother's worries, and he seemed to feel much better.
心配しないで、僕がそばにいてやるよ。
Don't worry — I'll be by your side to comfort you.
Colloquially to harm, injure, or (in extreme uses) kill — often used in threats or rough speech.
あいつを始末してやる。
I'll deal with that guy (threatening).
奴らにやられる前に、こちらからやるぞ。
Before they get us, we'll strike first.
Vulgar slang for having sex (to fuck); an explicit, colloquial expression often written in katakana (ヤる).
彼女と昨夜ヤったらしい。
Apparently he slept with his girlfriend last night.
こんなところでヤるのはやめろ。
Don't fuck here / Don't have sex in a place like this.
Intransitively, to live or get by (manage), or to come/arrive (in some set phrases).
小さな町でも工夫すればやっていけるよ。
You can manage even in a small town if you put your mind to it.
彼は一人で暮らしてやっていけるのだろうか。
I wonder if he'll be able to make it living on his own.
何とかやって来たが、これからが大変だ。
I've managed to get this far somehow, but it's going to be tough from here on.
As a suffix attached to a verb stem (after the -masu stem), it can express doing something completely or thoroughly (often colloquial/dated).
彼はあの箱を放りやって、もう二度と見なかった。
He tossed that box away and never looked back.
その問題は簡単に投げやるべきじゃない。
You shouldn't casually throw that problem aside (i.e., treat it as done).
As a suffix after the -masu stem, it can indicate doing something broadly or to a great distance/extent.
丘の上から遠くを見やると、海が見えた。
When I looked out from the hill, I could see the sea in the distance.
彼は辺りを見やって、道を探した。
He looked around the area to find the road.
As an auxiliary after the -te form, it indicates doing something for someone (often for someone of equal or lower status) — a colloquial ‘do for’ with sometimes rough nuance.
手伝ってやるから、文句言うな。
I'll help you, so don't complain.
黙って見てやるつもりはない。
I don't intend to just stand by and watch.
やってやるよ！任せておけ。
I'll do it for you! Leave it to me.
As an auxiliary after the -te form, it can express actively making an effort to do something — conveys determination or willingness to take action.
やってみせてやるから、見ていろ。
I'll show you how it's done, just watch.
絶対に成功してやるつもりだ。
I'm determined to succeed no matter what.