Japanese Particle Lesson To, Ya, and Toka(と、や、とか)

Particles To, Ya, and Toka (と、や、とか)

In this lesson, we will learn about three important particles used to list
nouns. These particles work similarly to the word “and” in Indonesian. The
particles used to list nouns or mention equivalent nouns in Japanese are
to (と), ya (や), and
toka (とか). Let’s learn them one by one.

Function of the Particle to (と)

The particle to (と) is used to connect two
nouns, which can be translated as “and” in Indonesian. This
particle is similar to mo (も) that we have
studied before, but to (と) can also mean “with”
or “together.” Here are some examples with
to (と):

• アメリカのりょうりとイギリスのりょうりとフランスのりょうりがすきです。
  Amerika no ryouri to Igirisu no ryouri to Furansu no ryouri
  ga suki desu.
  I like American food, British food, and French food.

• 私は父と兄と一緒に住んでいます。
  Watashi wa chichi to ani to issho ni sunde imasu.
  I live with my father, older brother, and younger
  brother.

Function of the Particle ya (や)

The particle ya (や) also serves to list nouns,
but its meaning is a bit more vague. It can mean “and” like
to (と), but with ya (や), it
implies that there could be other items not mentioned, meaning
“and so on” or “etc.” You can also add
nado (など) to emphasize “and so on.” Here are
some examples:

• 学校でスペイン語の文法や単語やフレーズなどを勉強しています。
  Gakkou de Supeingo no bunpou ya tango ya fureezu nado o
  benkyou shiteimasu.
  At school, I study Spanish grammar, vocabulary, phrases,
  and so on.

• 私のバッグの中にはノートやペンや消しゴムがあります。
  Watashi no baggu no naka ni wa nooto ya pen ya keshigomu ga
  arimasu.
  In my bag, there are notebooks, pens, erasers, and so
  on.

In these examples, there might be other items that are not
mentioned.

Function of the Particle toka (とか)

The particle toka (とか) is very similar to
ya (や) and has the same meaning, “and” or “and
so on.” The difference is that toka (とか) is
more often used in spoken language, while
ya (や) is more commonly found in written
language. Here are examples with toka (とか):

• イギリスにいたときはサンドイッチとかフィッシュアンドチップスとかを食べました。
  Igirisu ni ita toki wa sandoicchi toka fisshu ando chippusu
  toka o tabemashita.
  When I was in England, I ate sandwiches, fish and chips,
  and so on.

• 昨日、映画館でコーヒーとかサンドイッチとかを買いました。
  Kinou, eigakan de koohii toka sandoicchi toka o
  kaimashita.
  Yesterday, I bought coffee, sandwiches, and so on at the
  movie theater.

The particle toka (とか) is often used in casual
conversations.

Example Sentences:

1. アメリカのりょうりとイギリスのりょうりとフランスのりょうりがすきです。
   Amerika no ryouri to Igirisu no ryouri to Furansu no ryouri
   ga suki desu.
   I like American food, British food, and French food.

2. 私は父と兄と一緒に住んでいます。
   Watashi wa chichi to ani to issho ni sunde imasu.
   I live with my father, older brother, and younger
   brother.

3. イギリスにいたときはサンドイッチとかフィッシュアンドチップスとかを食べました。
   Igirisu ni ita toki wa sandoicchi toka fisshu ando chippusu
   toka o tabemashita.
   When I was in England, I ate sandwiches, fish and chips,
   and so on.

Vocabulary:

Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji	Meaning
料理	りょうり	ryouri	food
学校	がっこう	gakkou	school
文法	ぶんぽう	bunpou	grammar
単語	たんご	tango	vocabulary
フレーズ	ふれーず	fureezu	phrase
バッグ	ばっぐ	baggu	bag
ノート	のーと	nooto	notebook
ペン	ぺん	pen	pen
消しゴム	けしごむ	keshigomu	eraser
サンドイッチ	さんどいっち	sandoicchi	sandwich
映画館	えいがかん	eigakan	movie theater

I hope this explanation of と (to),
や (ya), and とか (toka) helps
you understand how to use them in your daily conversations in
Japanese. If something is unclear, feel free to drop a question!
See you in the next post!