N5

Listing Examples with や / など

Show non-exhaustive lists naturally and avoid the common mistake of using と when you only mean examples.

Use や to list representative nouns.Add など to soften or widen an example list.Distinguish exhaustive lists with と from example lists with や.

Guided study

Using や for example lists

や connects nouns when you want to give examples instead of a complete list. The listener understands that other similar items may also be included.

つくえの上に本やノートがあります。

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

や signals example items, so other things may also be on the desk.

Interactive word chips will appear once token metadata is added.

スーパーでりんごやバナナを買った。

I bought apples, bananas, and other things at the supermarket.

りんごやバナナ means apples, bananas, and similar items.

Interactive word chips will appear once token metadata is added.