Particles や and など

You remember how to use the particle と? This particle was used to link two or three nouns. In this lesson, you will learn how to make a non-exhaustive list of items. The particles や and など will allow you to basically say 'et cetera'. Instead of naming all items, や and など convey the meaning that there is more than just these items.

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みせで本とぺんをかいました。

Mise de hon to pen o kaimashita.

At the store, I bought a book and a pen.

みせで本やぺんなどをかいました。

Mise de hon ya pen nado o kaimashita.

At the store, I bought a book and a pen, among other things.

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や acts like と in non-exhaustive list of items, whereas など complement the sentence by giving the meaning 'among other things'. 

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こうえんでタバコなどをすててはいけません。

Kouen de tabako nado o sutete wa ikemasen.

Do not throw cigarettes and other items in the park.

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In this example, など will have the meaning of 'other items'. We understand that we cannot throw cigarettes or other trash in the park.

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レストランでたこやきやおこのみやきやすしをたべました。

Resutoran de takoyaki ya okonomiyaki ya sushi o tabemashita.

At the restaurant, we ate takoyaki, okonomiyaki and sushi. 

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The use of や in this sentence brings in the fact that takoyaki, okonomiyaki and sushi were not the only things we ate at the restaurant.

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このみせに本やゲームなどがあります。

Kono mise ni hon ya geemu nado ga arimasu.

This store has books, games, and other items.

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You can use や with など, but you cannot use と with など, as と demonstrates an exhaustive list, whereas など has the meaning 'et cetera'.

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More verbs!

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あめがふる - to rain
ゆきがふる - to snow
おちる - to fall
たちあがる - to stand up
はじめる - to start
おわる - to finish
あける - to open
しめる - to close
とじる - to close
すてる - to throw away
あつめる - to gather
すすむ - to proceed, to advance
とまる - to stop
なおす - to repair
こわれる - to break
わかれる - to break up
いれる - to put in
おく - to put
おす - to push
ひく - to pull