[scala] I want to get the type of a variable at runtime

I think the question is incomplete. if you meant that you wish to get the type information of some typeclass then below:

If you wish to print as you have specified then:

scala>  def manOf[T: Manifest](t: T): Manifest[T] = manifest[T]
manOf: [T](t: T)(implicit evidence$1: Manifest[T])Manifest[T]

scala> val x = List(1,2,3)
x: List[Int] = List(1, 2, 3)

scala> println(manOf(x))
scala.collection.immutable.List[Int]

If you are in repl mode then

scala> :type List(1,2,3)
List[Int]

Or if you just wish to know what the class type then as @monkjack explains "string".getClass might solve the purpose