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.
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'.
Casual listing particle for nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Implies examples and is more colloquial than や.
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.
The speaker wants to introduce specific examples to illustrate a category or point.
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.
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.
と lists all items completely. や implies there are other unmentioned items. とか is casual and can be used with verbs/adjectives.
There is coffee and tea (and that's all).
There's milk, eggs, and so on in the fridge.
On my days off, I spend time watching movies, going shopping, and stuff like that.
On weekends, I do things like read books and take walks.
Standard way to say 'for example'. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
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.
As for fruit, I like apples, bananas, and so on.
Means 'like' or 'such as'. Used before a noun to give examples.
In big cities like Tokyo, rent is expensive.
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.
Required documents: passport, plane ticket, etc.
Casual, emphatic way to say 'and so on and so forth'. Often used in speech.
Friends, colleagues, family, and so on and so forth came to the party.
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'.
The first is cost reduction, the second is efficiency improvement.
There is coffee, tea, and other drinks.
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.
Unnatural if there are other items.
Natural: implies there are other things too.