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Grammar detail: Various Ways to List Things

Various Ways to List Things

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Various Ways to List Things

In Japanese, there are several ways to list things. This article explores how to use various particles and expressions for the purpose of listing. Which particle or expression to use depends on the context, the formality of the conversation, and whether the list is complete or incomplete.

Listing a Complete Set - と “and”

The particle と is used to connect two or more nouns in a list. Like “and” in English, it is used when the list of items are exhaustive; "A and B and C". It implies that all listed items are included, with no others.

サッカーとスノーボードとダンスが

とくい

得意

です。

I’m good at soccer, snowboarding and dancing.

はコーヒーとパンに

めている。

I always have coffee and toast for breakfast.

、お

と

と

きを

れずに

ってきてください。

Tomorrow, don't forget to bring your lunch, a drink and a hand towel.

Listing an Incomplete Set - や "and" or "such as"

The particle や is used to connect two or more nouns as examples from a larger group, implying that there are other items not mentioned. It is often defined as "and", "such as" or “so on”, and gives the sense that the items listed are "among other things."

It is more common to encounter や in formal contexts or in written texts.

As demonstrated in the first two sentences below, English translations sometimes do not include a translation of や, because the context already implies that there are other items.

べました。

For lunch, I ate sandwiches and soup.

の

に

やノートやペンがあります。

There are books, notebooks, and pens on the desk.

でフランスやイタリアやスペインに

きました。

On my trip, I went to places like France, Italy, and Spain.

Listing an Incomplete Set - とか "and" or "things like"

Similar to や, とか can also indicate an incomplete list. It is often used in casual speech.

とか

が

きです。

I like movies, music, and things like that.

おやつにクッキーとかチョコレートとかを

た

食

べます。

For a snack, I eat things like cookies and chocolate.)

はお

とかジュースとかあるけど、どうする？

We have drinks like tea and juice; what do you want to have?

など – “things like”; "etc."; "and so on"

など is placed after a noun to mean “things like”; “etc.”; “and so on”. と, や and とか can be repeated to list things, however など is not used this way.

など is more formal than とか and tends to be used in written language or contexts of a formal or serious nature.

When used as a way to present an incomplete list, it is often used in combination with や. In this structure など will be placed after the final noun that is an item in the list.

は

や

などが

きです。

I like mathematics, chemistry and the like.

や

または

などで

を

してはいけない。

Don't discriminate against people based on nationality, gender, or occupation.

カメラや

などをこの

に

れてください。

Please put things like cameras and mobile phones in this box.

The next sentences are examples of など used without や to imply ‘and things like’.

の

は

などを

ることです。

My hobby is watching things like movies.

みの

には

などに

きます。

On my days off, I go to places like the park.

Listing an Incomplete Set of actions or states - 〜たり、〜たりする

〜たり、〜たりする is used to list actions or states that are presented as examples. It can mean “do things like A, B, etc.”.

と

ったり、

に

ったりしている。

Every day I meet up with my friends and go out for dinner and stuff.

に

に

ったり、ワインを

んだり、

を

んだりしたいです。

During the break I want to go to the beach, drink wine and read books.

は

を

んだり

したりします。

On Saturday I read books and study etc.

When used with adjectives 〜たり、〜たりする often presents contrasting states.

そこの

は

かったりします。

The weather there is sometimes hot and sometimes cold.

は

しかったりします。

He is sometimes kind and sometimes strict.

みの

には

だったりします。

On days off, I am sometimes busy and sometimes free.

Listing an Incomplete Set of states or qualities - 〜し - "and" or "also"

The conjunction し is used to list states or qualities. These can sometimes be presented as reasons. Using し implies an incomplete list and is used with verbs and adjectives.

はするし、せきでも

しんでいます。

I have a headache and I am suffering from a cough.

ここは

もおいしいし、サービスもよい。

The food is good, and service is good here.

それは

りやすいし、しかも

い。

It's easy to make and it's cheap.

は

に

も

えるし、おどりもできる。

She can sing and dance beautifully.

As in these next examples, 〜し may be used to list reasons.

つには

は

しいし、また

つには

しくもある。

For one thing, I am poor; for another, I am busy.

この

は

が

いし、その

、

さすぎる。

These shoes are expensive, and what is more, they are too small.

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