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JLPT N5 grammar comparison

と (and; with) vs や (and, among others)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

The difference

From the と (and; with) lesson

や (and, among others): や = "and, among others" (an incomplete list). と names everything.

From the や (and, among others) lesson

と (and; with): と = complete list (only these). や = examples.

Side by side

と (and; with)

to (and, with) · JLPT N5

Meaning
"and" (exhaustive list of nouns), "with (a person)", also marks quoted speech.
Formation
Noun + と + Noun (パンと卵)Person + と + verb (友達と行きます)Person + と + 一緒に + verb (母と一緒に食べます)
  1. パンと卵を買いました。

    パンと たまごを かいました。

    I bought bread and eggs.

  2. 友達と映画を見ます。

    ともだちと えいがを みます。

    I watch a film with a friend.

Full lesson on と (and; with)

や (and, among others)

ya (and, among others) · JLPT N5

Meaning
"and (for example)" — an incomplete list of nouns.
Formation
Noun + や + Noun (本やペン)Noun + や + Noun + など (本やペンなど)
  1. 机の上に本やペンがあります。

    つくえの うえに ほんや ペンが あります。

    There are books, pens and so on on the desk.

  2. 週末は掃除や洗濯をします。

    しゅうまつは そうじや せんたくを します。

    At the weekend I do cleaning, laundry and such.

Full lesson on や (and, among others)

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between と (and; with) and や (and, among others)?

や = "and, among others" (an incomplete list). と names everything.

When do you use や (and, among others) instead of と (and; with)?

と = complete list (only these). や = examples.