Usage Explanation ①: 「と」 (to) – Complete List

と (to) connects nouns. We use it when we list everything in that group.

It means “A and B (and that is all).” There is nothing else hidden.

Example 1: (Only two items)

机（つくえ）の上（うえ）に、ペンとノートがあります。(Tsukue no ue ni, pen to nōto ga arimasu.)

There is a pen and a notebook on the desk. (Nothing else is on the desk.)

Example 2: (Family)

家族（かぞく）は、父（ちち）と母（はは）と私（わたし）です。(Kazoku wa, chichi to haha to watashi desu.)

My family is my father, mother, and me. (Complete list of members.)

Example 3: (Shopping)

スーパーで、肉（にく）と卵（たまご）を買（か）いました。(Sūpā de, niku to tamago o kaimashita.)

I bought meat and eggs at the supermarket. (I bought only these two things.)

Usage Explanation ②: 「や」 (ya) – Incomplete List (Examples)

や (ya) connects nouns, but it means “A, B, and so on.” We use it when we list examples from a larger group.

It implies there are other things not mentioned. Often used with など (nado), which means “etc.”

Example 1: (Many things on the desk)

机（つくえ）の上（うえ）に、ペンやノートがあります。(Tsukue no ue ni, pen ya nōto ga arimasu.)

There are pens, notebooks, and other things on the desk.

Example 2: (Hobbies)

趣味（しゅみ）は、テニスや読書（どくしょ）などです。(Shumi wa, tenisu ya dokusho nado desu.)

My hobbies include tennis, reading, etc. (I have other hobbies too.)

Example 3: (Shopping)

スーパーで、肉（にく）や卵（たまご）を買（か）いました。(Sūpā de, niku ya tamago o kaimashita.)

I bought meat, eggs, and other things at the supermarket.

Comparison: 「と」 vs 「や」

Let’s compare the feeling.

Common Mistake Examples

Mistake 1: Talking about family

Wrong:

家族（かぞく）は、父（ちち）や母（はは）です。(Kazoku wa, chichi ya haha desu.)

Correct:

家族（かぞく）は、父（ちち）と母（はは）です。(Kazoku wa, chichi to haha desu.)

Why?

If you use や (ya) for family, it sounds like “My family consists of my father, mother, and… other people (maybe strangers?).” Family members are usually a fixed group, so listing them all with と (to) is natural.

Mistake 2: Using “nado” with “to”

Wrong:

りんごとみかんなどを買（か）いました。(Ringo to mikan nado o kaimashita.)

Correct:

りんごやみかんなどを買（か）いました。(Ringo ya mikan nado o kaimashita.)

Why?

と (to) means “complete list,” but など (nado) means “etc.” They contradict each other. Use や (ya) with など (nado).

Practice Quiz

Let’s check your understanding! Choose the correct particle.

Q1.

（かばんの中（なか）には、財布（さいふ）と鍵（かぎ）だけです。）
かばんの中（なか）に、財布 ( ) 鍵（かぎ）があります。

(Only a wallet and keys are in the bag.) There is a wallet ( ) keys in the bag.

1. と (to)
2. や (ya)

Q2.

（京都（きょうと）には、たくさんのお寺（てら）があります。）
京都（きょうと）には、金閣寺（きんかくじ）( ) 清水寺（きよみずでら）などがあります。

(There are many temples in Kyoto.) In Kyoto, there are Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera, etc.

1. と (to)
2. や (ya)

Q3.

「好（す）きな食（た）べ物（もの）は？」「寿司（すし）( ) ラーメンです。」（他（ほか）にもいろいろ好（す）きです。）

“What food do you like?” “Sushi ( ) Ramen.” (I like many other things too.)

1. と (to)
2. や (ya)

Summary: Key Differences

Which one should you use?

• と (to): “And.” (A + B = All). Use this when listing everything clearly.
• や (ya): “And… etc.” (A + B + Others). Use this when giving examples.

Remember: AやBなど (A ya B nado) is a very common set!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use 「や」 (ya) for only one item?

A1: Yes, you can. If you say 「かばんに本やペンがあります」 (There are books, pens, etc. in the bag), it implies there are other things. If you just say 「かばんに本があります」, it just states the book is there. Using “ya” with one item emphasizes that it is just one example of many.

Q2: What is 「など」 (nado)?

A2: 「など」 (nado) means “etc.” or “and so on.” It is very often used with や (ya). Pattern: AやBなど (A, B, and so on). You cannot use it with “to” because “to” is a complete list.

Q3: Which one should I use for my family members?

A3: You should usually use と (to). If you say 「父や母がいます」 (I have a father, mother, etc.), it sounds like you have other family members you are not mentioning, or perhaps even strangers in your family group! To list your specific family members, use “to” (complete list).

Related Articles

• The Difference Between 「に」 and 「へ」 (Direction Particles)
• The Difference Between 「を」 and 「が」 (Object vs Subject)