List Particles

There are 3 basic particles that allow you to make lists, か, や, and と.

Quick Guide:
と – and, used to connect nouns in a list
か – or, used to connect options in a list.
や – things like, used to make a non-exhaustive list

と (And)

と is the basic list particle. It means “and“. It connects nouns in an (exhaustive) list.

Examples

• いぬとねこ – Cat(s) and dog(s).
• リンゴとミカンとバナナ – Apple(s), orange(s), and banana(s)
  
  

か (Or)

か is the basic “or” type of list. It is used to present options. It can be used for nouns, verbs, and adjectives. It tends to be listed on both verbs/adjectives instead of just between them. 

Examples

• ねこかいぬ – Cat or dog. 
• りんごかみかんかバナナ – Apple(s) or orange(s) or banana(s). 
• のむか、のまないか – Drink or don’t drink
• たのしいか、たのしくないか – Fun or not fun

This kind of list can also be a question:

• かれは　いしかごみを　なげた。 – He threw a rock or some trash. (I don’t know which). 
  
  

や (and things like)

The one that causes confusion. や represents a non-exhaustive, representative list of nouns or adjectives modifying nouns. Tends to be used with など (things like).

Examples

• ねこやいぬ – (Things like) Dogs or cats. (that’s not all)
• リンゴやバナナやみかんなど – (Things like) Apple(s), banana(s), and orange(s). (fruit)
• くるしいやつらいとき – (Things like) Painful or hard times. 

Omission

と, か, and especially や tend to be dropped after the first time. You need to use a comma if you abbreviate.

• リンゴやミカン、ばなな、ココナッツなど – Things like apple(s) or orange(s), banana(s), and coconut(s)

List Vocabulary

Here are a few words that are used commonly with lists:

• など – Things like, etc. (politer) ← use this one.
• とか – Stuff like (informal)
• なんか – something like (bad thing) – Indicates disdain. ← Don’t use this one.

They can be used with a single noun to make a list as well:

• リンゴなど – Things like apples.
• いぬとか – Stuff like dogs.
• かれなんか – Things like him/Crap like him/I hate him.