や

や
particle
and (non-exhaustive list)
grammatical
1. and, among other things
A particle used to list items non-exhaustively, implying there are more items not mentioned.
暑(あつ)いときは水(みず)やお茶(ちゃ)がおいしい。
When it's hot, water, tea, and other drinks taste good.
本(ほん)や雑誌(ざっし)を読(よ)む。
To read books, magazines, and such.
りんごやみかんを買(か)った。
I bought apples, oranges, and other fruit.
東京(とうきょう)や大阪(おおさか)など大(おお)きな都市(とし)に住(す)みたい。
I want to live in a big city like Tokyo, Osaka, and so on.
Often used with など for emphasis

Similar words

  • と - exhaustive listing: AとB = A and B (only these two)
  • や - non-exhaustive listing: AやB = A, B, and others

Common patterns

  • AやB (A, B, etc.)
  • AやBなど (A, B, and so on)
  • AやBやC (A, B, C, etc.)

Usage

や gives examples from a larger set of the same kind: "these, among others."

Watch out

や joins nouns only. To list actions as examples, use 〜たり〜たり: 本(ほん)を読(よ)んだり音楽(おんがく)を聞(き)いたりする.

Related Words

Compare: と (exhaustive listing)
general
Added 2026.2.5 11:14 · Revised 2026.10.6 22:11
10000/10080_ya