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

(Joy checking a complete list [To] vs. Joy gesturing ‘etc.’ [Ya])

“I ate sushi and ramen.” (Did you eat anything else?)
In Japanese, the particle you choose tells the listener if that was everything or just examples. と (To) closes the list, while や (Ya) leaves it open. Let’s master this essential N5 grammar with Joy and Ken!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy is checking Ken’s shopping bag.

Joy

ケンさん、カバンの中に何がありますか？
重（おも）そうですね。
(Ken, what’s in your bag? It looks heavy.)

Ken

ああ、これですか？
本（ほん）やパソコンなどが入っています。
（実は、お菓子やジュースも入っています…）
(Ah, this? There are books “and” a PC “and so on” inside. [Actually, there are also snacks and juice…])

💡 Explanation

Complete List vs. Representative List

Point 1: と (To) = Complete List (And)

Meaning: A and B (and nothing else).
Used when you list everything involved. It marks a closed set.

鉛筆（えんぴつ）と消（け）しゴムを買いました。
(I bought a pencil and an eraser. [Just these two items.])
土曜日（どようび）と日曜日（にちようび）が休みです。
(Saturday and Sunday are off. [No other days.])

Point 2: や (Ya) = Representative List (And so on)

Meaning: A and B (and others like C, D…).
Used when you list examples, but imply there are more items not mentioned. Often used with など (nado) at the end.

靴（くつ）や服（ふく）を買いました。
(I bought shoes, clothes, etc. [I might have bought socks too.])
京都（きょうと）や大阪（おおさか）へ行きたいです。
(I want to go to Kyoto, Osaka, and places like that.)

📊 Comparison Table

Particle	Scope	English Nuance
と (To)	Complete / All	A and B. (That’s it.)
や (Ya)	Partial / Examples	A and B, etc. (Things like A and B.)

🚧 Joy’s Mistake

(Joy introduces her family)

❌ Wrong: 私の家族（かぞく）は、父（ちち）や母（はは）がいます。
(Meaning: “My family consists of Father, Mother, and OTHERS.” Ken will think: “Oh? Do you have secret siblings? Or pets?”)

✅ Right: 私の家族は、父と母と私です。
(Meaning: “My family is Father, Mother, and Me.” This is a complete, clear list.)