The Difference Between Particle 「と」 (to) vs 「や」 (ya)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

( Joy showing all items [To] vs. Joy showing examples with more in bag [Ya])

“I bought an apple and a banana.”
Did you buy anything else? In Japanese, the particle you use tells the listener if that is everything or just examples. We use と (To) and や (Ya). Let’s learn the difference!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy went shopping and is showing Ken what she bought.

Joy

ケンさん、見てください。
スーパーでりんごとバナナを買いました。
(Ken, look. I bought apples “and” bananas at the supermarket.)

Ken

それだけですか？袋（ふくろ）の中に、まだブドウやオレンジがありますよ？
そのときはりんごやバナナを使（つか）います。
(Is that all? There are still grapes and oranges in the bag. In that case, use “Ringo YA Banana”.)

💡 Explanation

Both mean “And”, but the scope is different.

Point 1: To (と) = Complete List

Use To when you list ALL the items. “A and B (and that is everything).”

教室（きょうしつ）に先生（せんせい）と学生（がくせい）がいます。
(There are a teacher and a student in the room. [Nobody else])
日曜日（にちようび）と月曜日（げつようび）が休（やす）みです。
(Sunday and Monday are holidays. [Only these two days])

Point 2: Ya (や) = Representative List (Examples)

Use Ya when you list EXAMPLES. “A and B (and others like C and D).” It implies there is more.

箱（はこ）の中に本（ほん）やペンがあります。
(There are books and pens [and other things like erasers] in the box.)
私（わたし）は寿司（すし）や天ぷら（てんぷら）が好（す）きです。
(I like sushi and tempura [and other Japanese foods].)

🚀 Tip: “Ya” is often used with など (nado), which means “etc.”
Example: 本やペンなど (Books, pens, etc.)