How to say "varied" in Japanese

• 様々さまざまJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers the general sense of 'various; varied; diverse'. It is the default, neutral choice when different kinds of things simply exist: 様々 people, opinions, or styles differ from one another.
  庭にわには様々さまざまな花はなが咲き乱さきみだれていた。↗

  The garden was a riot of color.
• 多彩たさいCommon
  na-adjective, nounUsed when the variety is rich, colorful, and impressive — literally 'variegated', figuratively 'richly varied'. Suited to varied talent, programs, or careers that strike you as vibrant and multifaceted.
  メニューにはいろいろ多彩たさいな料理りょうりがあった。↗

  There was a great variety of dishes on the menu.
• 五色ごしきCommon
  no-adjectiveLiterally 'the five colors', it glosses as 'many kinds; varied'. It is really about many kinds or colors rather than a general adjective for 'varied', so it is seldom the word you want outside that narrow sense.
• 数奇すうきCommon
  na-adjective, nounA poor general equivalent: it means 'checkered; eventful; dramatic' and applies to a life, career, or fate full of ups and downs. Use it only when 'varied' implies a dramatic, turbulent course, not for varied things in general.
  私は数奇すうきな運命うんめいにもてあそばれてきた。↗

  I have lived a life of a puppet of fortune.

Use 様々 for plain 'various/varied' things, 多彩 for richly colorful variety, 五色 for many kinds or varied colors, and 数奇 only for a varied, eventful life or career.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 様々さまざまvarious
• 区々くくvarious
• 盛りだくさんもりだくさんmany
• 多彩たさいvarious
• 五色ごしきmany kinds
• 数奇すうきcheckered (life, career, etc.)