JLPT N5 Grammar: や (ya) — Incomplete Listing Particle

JLPT N5 Grammar: や (ya)

Q: Can I use や more than twice in one list?

Yes, you can string multiple nouns together with や (e.g., 本やペンやノート). The last item usually does not have や after it.

Incomplete listing particle — “and things like ~” / “~ and ~, and so on”

JLPTジェイエルピーティー N5エヌゴ文法ぶんぽう助詞じょし「や」解説かいせつ (並立へいりつ・例示れいじ)

⏱️ Study time: 4–6 minutes

The particle や (ya) creates an incomplete list of examples. Unlike と (to), which lists every item, や implies “these and others” — that there are more things not mentioned. It is often paired with など (nado = “etc.” / “and so on”) for clarity.

🚀 JLPT N5 Warm-up Quiz

Q: Which sentence means “I like apples and bananas (and other fruits too)”?

Answer: A (りんごやバナナ). や gives an incomplete list (these are examples, there may be others). B with と is a complete, exhaustive list. C with も means “also” and doesn't list things.

Quick Summary

Grammar Point
や

Meaning
Incomplete listing — “~ and ~, etc.”

Pattern
Noun A + や + Noun B (+ など)

Example
りんごやバナナを食たべます。りんごやばななをたべます。Ringo ya banana o tabemasu.
I eat things like apples and bananas.

📝 Core Patterns with や

Incomplete list: Noun + や + Noun (+ など / なんか)

Verb / Adj: Verb (plain) + や + Verb (plain) — casual listing of actions

Common ending: 〜や〜など (A and B, and so on)

⚠️ や never lists everything. If you want a complete, closed list, use と.

🧠 Need the complete listing particle? See と (to) →

💡 Toggle furigana, hiragana, or romaji for easier reading.

What is や?

や is a conjunction particle that links two or more nouns to give an incomplete list of examples. It implies “and others” or “etc.” without having to name every item. This is unlike と, which gives an exhaustive list.

Often finished with など (nado = and so on) for clarity.
Used with nouns; for listing verbs, other constructions exist (e.g., 〜たり).
Makes your Japanese sound more natural when you don’t need to name everything.

机つくえの上うえに本ほんやペンがあります。つくえのうえにほんやぺんがあります。Tsukue no ue ni hon ya pen ga arimasu.
There are books, pens, and so on, on the desk. (incomplete list)

⚡ How to Use や

Pattern	Meaning	Example
N1 + や + N2	Things like N1 and N2	日本語にほんごや英語えいごを話はなします。
N1 + や + N2 + など	N1, N2, etc.	東京とうきょうや大阪おおさかなどに行いきたいです。
N1 + や + N2 (+ など) + が/は	Incomplete list as topic	魚さかなや野菜やさいが好すきです。

Examples & Mini Dialogue

私わたしは音楽おんがくや映画えいがが好すきです。わたしはおんがくやえいががすきです。Watashi wa ongaku ya eiga ga suki desu.
I like music, movies, and so on.

✅ や implies there may be other things you enjoy too.

冷蔵庫れいぞうこに卵たまごや牛乳ぎゅうにゅうなどがあります。れいぞうこにたまごやぎゅうにゅうなどがあります。Reizōko ni tamago ya gyūnyū nado ga arimasu.
There are eggs, milk, and so on in the fridge.

🗣️ Mini Dialogue
A: 趣味しゅみは何なんですか。しゅみはなんですか。Shumi wa nan desu ka.
B: 読書どくしょや料理りょうりなどです。どくしょやりょうりなどです。Dokusho ya ryōri nado desu.

⚡ や (incomplete) vs と (complete) — Key Difference

Particle	Type of List	Example	Meaning
や	Incomplete (examples)	りんごやバナナが好すきです。	I like apples and bananas (and more).
と	Complete (exhaustive)	りんごとバナナが好すきです。	I like apples and bananas (only those two).

⚠️ Critical JLPT Trap: If you use と, you are saying the list is complete and nothing else applies. Use や when you want to be vague or imply there are more similar items.

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

✕ 日本語にほんごや英語えいごだけを話はなします。

✓ 日本語にほんごと英語えいごだけを話はなします。 (だけ means “only”, so the list must be exhaustive — use と with だけ.)

✕ 図書館としょかんで本ほんや勉強べんきょうする。

✓ 図書館としょかんで本ほんを読よんだり勉強べんきょうしたりする。 (や links nouns, not verbs in polite speech. For listing actions, use 〜たり.)

✕ りんごやバナナやを食たべる。

✓ りんごやバナナを食たべる。 (や attaches only between nouns; don't add extra や after the last noun.)

JLPT N5 Practice Questions

Score: 0 / 3

1. “I like sushi, tempura, etc.” Which particle is correct?

2. Which sentence implies there are more countries not mentioned?

3. Which can be used with や to say “etc.”?

🎯 JLPT N5 tip: The や…など pattern appears in most JLPT N5 reading comprehension passages. When you see it, know that the author is giving examples, not an exhaustive list.

Test yourself with a free mock exam →

About the Instructor

Taught by Anup Sensei at Gogaku Language & Training Center in Pokhara. With real Japan experience and a focus on exam essentials, he helps students pass the JLPT with confidence.

Related Grammar

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use や more than twice in one list?

Yes, you can string multiple nouns together with や (e.g., 本ほんやペンやノート). The last item usually does not have や after it.

Is など always necessary after や?

No, など is optional but common. や alone already implies the list is incomplete; など simply reinforces that.

Can や be used with verbs in N5?

Not directly. At N5 level, や links only nouns. For listing actions, use the 〜たり pattern.

Continue Learning

Next: と (to) — the complete listing particle.

Learn と →

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