particle
Lists examples and implies there are more similar items. Used after nouns, verbs, or clauses.
机の上に本やノートなどがあります。
There are books, notebooks, and so on, on the desk.
休みの日は、映画を見るなどして過ごします。
particle
or something; something like that
Softens a statement by adding vagueness after a suggestion or approximate quote. Often used in casual speech.
彼は忙しいなどと言って、来なかった。
He said he was busy or something, and didn't come.
particle
the likes of; someone like
Downplays the preceding word, often with a dismissive or humble tone. Can be used to belittle or show modesty.
私などにはとてもできません。
Someone like me could never do it.
彼などに負けるはずがない。
There's no way I'd lose to the likes of him.
particle
for example; for instance; such as
Gives a concrete example from a larger group. Often used with 例えば or in explanatory contexts.
日本には、東京など多くの大都市があります。
In Japan, there are many big cities, such as Tokyo.
On my days off, I spend time doing things like watching movies.
Derived from the classical Japanese particle など, which itself comes from the combination of な (an old nominal particle) and と (quotative/comitative particle). The kanji 等 is a semantic borrowing meaning 'and so on'.