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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar N1やN2など.
※N＝Noun（名詞 めいし）
What apps do you have on your smartphone?
You probably have a lot, like WhatsApp,Google Maps,Instagram,Spotify,YouTube,TikTok, and so on. It'd be tough to list them all. In that case, you can give two examples and say something like this: WhatsAppや YouTubeなどが はいっています。（WhatsApp ya YouTube nado ga haitte imasu)
👉<Use>
The phrase “N1やN2など” can be used to list two examples when there are many items belonging to that group.
"WhatsAppや YouTubeなどが はいっています。" means "My smartphone has apps such as maps and music".
“や” and “など” are both particles. Their functions are as follows.
"や（ya）" connects two (or a few) nouns as well but suggests the things referred to are proposed as examples.
"など（nado）" is sometimes put after the last noun to make it clear that the speaker doesn’t mention all the nouns that could be on the list.
⚠“や” and “など” can each be used individually.
・💁We learned that Particle「と(to)」 connects two (or more) nouns in coordinate relation in a similar way to "and."
e.g. しゅみは りょこう と えいがです。
Shumi wa ryokō to eiga desu.
My hobbies are traveling and watching movies.
👉<Examples>
1. しゅみは りょこうや えいがです。
Shumi wa ryokō ya eiga desu.
My hobbies are traveling, watching movies, etc...
2. まいあさ パンや たまごなどを たべます。
Maiasa pan ya tamago nado o tabemasu.
I eat some bread an egg, for example.
3. へやに いすや つくえなどが あります。
Heya ni isu ya tsukue nado ga arimasu.
There are chairs, desks, and other things in the room.
4. すずきさんは ピアノや ギターなどが できます。
Suzukisan wa piano ya gitā nado ga dekimasu.
Ms.Suzuki can play instruments such as the piano and guitar.
5. まいにち ジョギングや ヨガなどを しています。
Mainichi jogingu ya yoga nado o shiteimasu.
I do things like jogging and yoga every day.
6. スーパーで やさいや にくなどを かいました。
Sūpā de yasai ya niku nado o kaimashita.
I bought vegetables, meat, and other things at the supermarket.
7. かばんの なかに さいふや スマホなどが あります。
Kaban no naka ni saifu ya sumaho nado ga arimasu.
There are things like a wallet and smartphone in my bag.
8. この みせは ケーキや クッキーなどが あります。
Kono mise wa kēki ya kukkī nado ga arimasu.
This shop has things like cake and
9. こどもは うたや ダンスなどが すきです。
Kodomo wa uta ya dansu nado ga sukidesu.
Children like things like singing and dancing.
Suggested Study Material
Genki I (Beginner Japanese)
This grammar point is explained in Genki I (Lesson 11,12), a widely used beginner textbook for learning Japanese.
View on Amazon →Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
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