や
や
particle
and (non-exhaustive list)
1.
and, among other things
A particle used to list items non-exhaustively, implying there are more items not mentioned.
暑いときは水やお茶がおいしい。
When it's hot, water, tea, and other drinks taste good.
本や雑誌を読む。
To read books, magazines, and such.
りんご}や{みかん}を{買った。
I bought apples, oranges, and other fruit.
東京や大阪など大きな都市に住みたい。
I want to live in a big city like Tokyo, Osaka, and so on.
Often used with など for emphasis
COMPARISON:
- 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.)
NOTE: や is often used when giving examples from a larger set. It implies "these are some examples, but there are more."
ORDER: The items listed with や are typically of similar type or category.