Translation guide
Ways to list items, give examples, or express 'and so on' in Japanese.
The speaker wants to list two or more nouns, verbs, or adjectives in a neutral or informal way.
Used to list nouns exhaustively. Similar to 'and' in English. Often used when the list is complete.
机の上に本とペンがあります。
There is a book and a pen on the desk.
Used to list nouns non-exhaustively, implying there are other items. Similar to 'and, among others' or 'such as'.
冷蔵庫に牛乳や卵があります。
There's milk, eggs, and so on in the fridge.
Casual listing particle for nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Implies examples and is more colloquial than や.
休みの日は映画を見るとか、買い物に行くとかして過ごします。
On my days off, I spend time watching movies, going shopping, and stuff like that.
Used to list verbs or adjectives in a non-exhaustive way. The pattern is V-たり V-たり する. Implies doing things like A and B, among others.
週末は本を読んだり、散歩したりします。
On weekends, I do things like read books and take walks.
The speaker wants to introduce specific examples to illustrate a category or point.
Standard way to say 'for example'. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
例えば、日本料理では寿司が有名です。
For example, sushi is famous in Japanese cuisine.
Attached after a noun or list to mean 'and so on', 'etc.', or 'such as'. Often used with や.
果物では、りんごやバナナなどが好きです。
As for fruit, I like apples, bananas, and so on.
Means 'like' or 'such as'. Used before a noun to give examples.
東京のような大都市では家賃が高いです。
In big cities like Tokyo, rent is expensive.
The speaker wants to indicate that a list continues without specifying all items.
The most common way to say 'etc.' or 'and so on'. Can be used after a single noun or a list.
必要なものはパスポート、航空券などです。
The necessary items are passport, plane ticket, etc.
Formal written version of など. Used in official documents or academic writing.
必要書類：パスポート、航空券等
Required documents: passport, plane ticket, etc.
Casual, emphatic way to say 'and so on and so forth'. Often used in speech.
パーティーには友達、同僚、家族などなどが来ました。
Friends, colleagues, family, and so on and so forth came to the party.
The speaker needs to list items in a structured, formal manner, such as in a presentation or report.
Formal way to enumerate points: 'firstly, secondly, thirdly'. Used in speeches or writing.
第一に、環境問題について。第二に、経済成長について。
Firstly, about environmental issues. Secondly, about economic growth.
Less formal than 第一に, but still structured. Means 'the first one is, the second one is'.
一つ目はコスト削減、二つ目は効率化です。
The first is cost reduction, the second is efficiency improvement.
と lists all items completely. や implies there are other unmentioned items. とか is casual and can be used with verbs/adjectives.
コーヒーと紅茶があります。
There is coffee and tea (and that's all).
コーヒーや紅茶があります。
There is coffee, tea, and other drinks.
コーヒーとか紅茶とかあるよ。
There's coffee, tea, stuff like that.
Using と when you mean 'and so on' can sound unnatural. Use や or とか instead if the list is not complete.
✕ 冷蔵庫に牛乳と卵があります。（if there are more items）
Unnatural if there are other items.
◯ 冷蔵庫に牛乳や卵があります。
Natural: implies there are other things too.