Connecting Nouns with ～と～ and ～や～ for JLPT N5 – Day37

Welcome to Day 37 of our 100-day JLPT N5 challenge!

Today, we’re diving into connecting nouns using ～と～ (and) and ～や～ (and/or), key JLPT N5 grammar points for listing items like “tea and bread” or “a shirt or shoes.”

By the end, you’ll confidently list items and ace JLPT N5 prep. Let’s get started!

Main Lesson: Using ～と～ and ～や～ Step-by-Step

The ～と～ and ～や～ structures are simple ways to link nouns. ～と～ means a complete “and” (all items listed), while ～や～ means “and/or” (some items, implying others).

Step 1: Vocabulary List

Here’s a table of new JLPT N5 nouns for ～と～ and ～や～.

Words	Romaji	English
おちゃ	ocha	tea
ジュース	juusu	juice
パン	pan	bread
シャツ	shatsu	shirt
くつ	kutsu	shoes
かさ	kasa	umbrella

Step 2: Grammar Points

～と～ (to)

Connects nouns to list all specific items (like “and” in English).

Structure: [Noun 1] と [Noun 2]

Example:
おちゃ と パン (ocha to pan)
– tea and bread

Use: For a complete, specific list (e.g., exactly these items).

With Sentences: [Noun 1 と Noun 2] + が ほしい です

Example:
おちゃ と ジュース が ほしい です。 (Ocha to juusu ga hoshii desu.)
– I want tea and juice.

この シャツ と その くつ が ほしい です。 (Kono shatsu to sono kutsu ga hoshii desu.)
– I want this shirt and those shoes.

～や～ (ya)

Connects nouns to list some items, implying others (like “and/or”).

Structure: [Noun 1] や [Noun 2]

Example: シャツ や くつ (shatsu ya kutsu)
– a shirt and/or shoes

Use: For a non-exhaustive list (e.g., these and maybe more).

With Sentences: [Noun 1 や Noun 2] + が ほしい です

Example:
シャツ や くつ が ほしい です。 (Shatsu ya kutsu ga hoshii desu.)
– I want things like shirts and shoes.

パン や やさい を たべます。 (pan ya yasai wo tabemasu.)
– I eat things like bread and vegetables.

Step 3: Example Sentences

Here are the example sentences using ～と～ and ～や～.

おちゃ と ジュース が ほしい です (Ocha to juusu ga hoshii desu.)
– I want tea and juice.

シャツ や くつ が ほしい です (Shatsu ya kutsu ga hoshii desu.)
– I want things like shirts and shoes.

この パン と その おちゃ が ほしい です (Kono pan to sono ocha ga hoshii desu.)
– I want this bread and that tea.

あの かさ や この シャツ が ほしい です (Ano kasa ya kono shatsu ga hoshii desu.)
– I want things like that umbrella and this shirt.

あかい シャツ と きれいな かさ を かいます。 (Akai shatsu to kirei na kasa wo kaimasu.)
– I will buy a red shirt and a pretty umbrella.

へや に ちいさい くつ や おおきい パン が あります。 (Heya ni chiisai kutsu ya ookii pan ga arimasu.)
– There are things like small shoes and big bread in the room.

おちゃ と パン は ほしくない です。 (Ocha to pan wa hoshikunai desu.)
– I don’t want tea and bread.

この ジュース と この おちゃ が すき です。 (Kono juusu to kono ocha ga suki desu.)
– I like this juice and this tea.

シャツ や ぼうし を きます。 (Shatsu ya boushi o kimasu.)
– I wear things like shirts and hat.

あの パン と この くだもの が ほしい です (Ano pan to kono kudamono ga hoshii desu.)
– I want that bread and this fruit.

Practice Section: Interactive ～と～ and ～や～ Quiz

Test your skills with this fun quiz! Choose the correct answer for each question.

Conclusion

Great job on Day 37! You’ve mastered connecting nouns with ～と～ and ～や～, saying things like おちゃ と ジュース が ほしい です (I want tea and juice) and シャツ や くつ (a shirt or shoes).

Loving this 100-day challenge for learning Japanese for beginners? Subscribe to our newsletter or share a sentence using ～と～ or ～や～ in the comments – what items do you want?

See you tomorrow!