30 Day Challenge 6: AND... Differences in と ＆ や

Particles:と & や

Unlike most particlesと and や can be used between particles to mean ‘and’.

と: is a very specific and meaning ONLY: A and B. This is also the most common ‘and’ particle. However, this is an exhaustive list. For example, if you say Aと B it is only A and B, nothing else.

や: is an inexhaustive and. Meaning, that you can say Xや Y and there could also be Z but you are omitting it. An example of this would be saying you like Sushiや Chicken Katsu, but you also like Takoyaki but neglect mentioning because the list of your favorite foods would be too long.

Example Sentences:

たけしくん　と　さやかちゃんは　にほんじん　です。
Takeshi-kun and Sayaka-chan are Japanese.

いもうと　や　おとうとは　かぞく　です。
My little sister and my little brother are family.

にほんご　と　えいごは　げんご　です。
Japanese and English and Languageages


Dialogue: たけし　と　だいいちは　だれ　です　か？　たけし　と　 だいいちは　にほんじんです。にほんじん　や　アメリカじん　ひとびと　です。
Who are Takeshi and Daiichi? Takeshi and Daiichi are Japanese. Japanese and Americans and People.

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