Definition and use of やれやれだ


Can anyone explain the expression やれやれだ/やれやれだぜ ? I saw it in a written journal
entry to mean "Thank heavens!", and on further investigation have seen it
translated as "Good god!" as well as "Sigh." It's probably an outdated
expression, but could someone tell me if it's still used and why it means what
it means?




やれやれ is an interjection ([感動詞]{かんどうし}) that is a doubling of the やれ
interjection.

The main uses are:

  1. When feeling relieved or deeply moved:  
やれやれ、やっと仕事が終わった。  
At least I have finished work.  
やれやれ、可哀想に。  
What a pity.

  2. When faced to a nuisance or deceived:  
やれやれ、また残業か。  
Overwork again...  
やれやれ、困ったな。  
It's bothering.

And from my personal experience, it is not that outdated but indeed more used
by adults than by teenagers.

