Using と / や (Listing Particles)

 

と・や の使い方

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1. What are と and や ?

　と = “and” (Complete list)

　や = “and” (Incomplete list / etc.)

The particles と and や are used to connect nouns.

と shows a complete list.

や shows an incomplete list (similar to “and …”).

 

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2. Basic Pattern

　Noun + と + Noun

　Noun + や + Noun

 

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　ペン と ノート

　　Pen and  notebook.

 

 

　Only these two things are on the desk.

 

　と lists everything.　

 

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　ペン や ノート

　　Pen, notebook,etc.

 

 

　There are more stationery items on the desk.

 

　や gives a few examples.

 

 

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【 と 】

Did you get the idea?

 

　と is used when you list everything.

 

 

　For example:

　Q. What colors are there?

　↓

　A. Red, blue, and green.

　（ あか と あお と みどり )

 

 

　Since there are three colors, all of them are listed.

 

 

 

Pattern:

　Noun + と + Noun + と + Noun

 

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【 や 】

 

　や is used when you give examples, not a complete list.

 

 

For example:

　Q. What do they sell at this supermarket?

　↓

　A. They sell vegetables, fruit, and other things.

　（ やさい や くだもの )

 

 

　The supermarket also sells drinks, snacks, meat, and many other things.

 

　“Vegetables” and “fruit” are just examples.

 

　This is when you use や.

 

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　The particles と and や are often confused by Japanese learners.

 

　Make sure you understand the difference before moving on to the next lesson.

 

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