Grammar · Particles

や, and, among others

[A] や [B] (など)

や joins nouns like と, but signals that the list is a sample rather than the whole thing. Often finished with など, 'and so on'.

The mistake to avoid

If you say と you are claiming that is everything. や leaves the door open.

Examples

パンや卵などを買います。

パンやたまごなどをかいます。

I will buy bread, eggs and so on.