Apples and oranges. Walking and running. Swiftly and slowly. In English, connecting ideas is usually as simple as inserting the word “and” between two items. But in Japanese, expressing “and” is a bit more nuanced.
In fact, the language offers multiple ways to connect words, phrases, and even full sentences. This depends on what you’re linking: nouns, verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses. For instance, the casual と (to) is one of the most straightforward ways to say “and,” but it can only be used to link nouns.
This guide is your roadmap to mastering all the different ways to say “and” in Japanese. By the end, you’ll not only know which “and” to use in each situation but also understand why native speakers make those choices. So, get ready to move beyond the simple と (to) and explore the variety of connectors.
1. と (To)
Structure: Noun 1 + と + Noun 2
The simplest way to connect two nouns in Japanese is with と (to). It functions like the English conjunction “and.” r. However, と (to) cannot connect adjectives, verbs, clauses, or sentences. It is strictly for nouns.
When you link two nouns with と (to), you’re essentially pairing them together. If you want to express a contrast, you will need to use a different word in Japanese, such as でも or しかし.
シャツとズボン。
Shatsu to zubon.
Shirt and pants.
You can extend this pattern to include more nouns:
シャツとズボンと靴。
Shatsu to zubon to kutsu.
Shirt and pants, and shoes.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that と (to) is generally used to link a fixed, closed list of items. It highlights each item individually, rather than suggesting an open-ended or indefinite series — as in, it is just those items, and nothing else. There’s no implication of additional, unmentioned items.
For example, if you are going to a trial gym, they might say:
タオルと水と運動靴を持ってきてください。
Taoru to mizu o mottekite kudasai.
Please bring a towel and water.
2. や (Ya)
Structure: Noun 1 + や + Noun 2
While と (to) is used for a closed, fixed list of items, sometimes you want to imply that there are more items beyond the ones you mention. In this case, you use や (ya). Like と (to), や (ya) is used only to connect nouns and cannot be used with adjectives, verbs, or clauses.
You insert や (ya) between nouns to list them, and using it suggests that the list is not exhaustive. For example:
In this sentence, you’re saying that you like cakes and pudding, but there are likely other desserts you enjoy as well. Because や (ya) implies that there are additional items not mentioned, it is often paired with など (nado), which functions like “etc.” in English and typically comes after the last noun in the list. For example:
ケーキやプリンやクッキーなどが好きです。
Keeki ya purin ya kukkii nado ga suki desu.
I like cakes, pudding, cookies, etc.
This construction makes it clear that the list is non-exhaustive. Using the same trial gym scenario:
タオルや水や運動靴などを持ってきてください。
Taoru ya mizu ya undougutsu nado o mottekite kudasai.
Please bring a towel, water, sneakers, etc.
Using や (ya) … など (nado) indicates that these are just examples, and you could bring additional items as well—perhaps similar items like a gym shirt or grip socks.
In short, use や (ya) when you want to connect multiple nouns while signaling that there are more items beyond what you’ve listed, unlike と (to), which links a specific, closed set of nouns.
3. も (Mo)
Structure: Noun 1 + も + Noun 2
Technically, the Japanese particle も (mo) usually means “also” or “too,” but it can also be used to link nouns together in a way that expresses “and” in Japanese. The key difference between も (mo) and と (to) or や (ya) is that も (mo) carries the nuance of “and also” or “both,” rather than just listing items. In other words, も (mo) is used when you are adding another item to a statement, emphasizing that each item shares the same quality or feeling.
For example:
ケーキもプリンも好きです。
Keeki mo purin mo suki desu.
I like both cakes and pudding.
Here, も (mo) highlights that you like both items, not just one of them. It’s a great way to express that multiple things share the same characteristic or sentiment, giving a sense of inclusion rather than simply enumerating items.
4. Verb ～て
Structure: Verb 1 (て-form) + Verb 2
So far, we’ve discussed the different ways to say “and” in Japanese for nouns, but what if you want to connect verbs? The easiest and most common method is using the verb て-form. When combining two or more verbs, you convert all verbs except the last one into the -て (-te) form.
For example:
家に帰ったら、シャワーを浴びて、晩ご飯を食べたいです。
Ie ni kaettara, shawaa o abite, bangohan o tabetai desu.
After I go home, I want to shower and eat dinner.
Here, the first action, “showering,” is converted into the -て form (浴びて), which links it to the next action, “eating dinner” (食べたい).
An important thing to remember is that linking verbs with the -て form indicate a sequence of events that follow a specific order. In casual situations, switching the order might not seem like a big deal, but if you are giving precise instructions, the order of actions becomes crucial. You need to list the first step or action first, followed by the next in the correct sequence.
For example, imagine giving instructions for a simple morning routine:
手を洗って、顔を洗って、朝ご飯を食べてください。
Te o aratte, kao o aratte, asagohan o tabete kudasai.
First, wash your hands, then wash your face, and finally eat breakfast.
Here, the order matters: washing your face comes after washing your hands, and eating breakfast comes last.
Additionally, conjugating a Japanese verb from its dictionary form to the -て form is not one-size-fits-all. In Japanese, verbs are categorized into three main groups, and each group has its own rules for forming the -て form.
| Verb Group | Rule for -て Form | Example Verb | -て Form |
| Group 1 (Godan verbs) | く→いてぐ→いです→してぶ/む/ぬ→んでる/つ→って | 書く (kaku) | 書いて (kaite) |
| Group 2 (Ichidan verbs) | Drop -る and add -て | 食べる (taberu) | 食べて (tabete) |
| Group 3 (Irregular verbs) | Memorize unique forms | する (suru)来る (kuru) | して (shite), 来て (kite) |
By learning the -て form (-te form), you can connect actions naturally in Japanese, like saying “I showered and ate dinner” or “I studied and went shopping.” Ready to put this into practice? At Coto Academy, you’ll get hands-on experience using verbs, particles, and connectors in real-life situations. Sign up for a class and start speaking confidently — whether in Tokyo, Yokohama, or online from the comfort of your home!
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If you want a more detailed guide on how to conjugate a Japanese verb from its dictionary form into the -て form, check out our full article: Conjugating Verb-て Form in Japanese.
5. ～たり～たり (~ Tari ~Tari)
Structure: Verb (past tense) た-form + り + Verb (past tense) た-form + り + する
When you use the -て form to connect verbs in Japanese, it implies that the actions happen in a specific order or sequence. However, if you want to link verbs with “and” without indicating any particular order, you’ll use the grammar pattern ～たり～たり (tari tari).
In short, ～たり～たり (tari tari) is used to list multiple actions or states in a random, non-sequential way, when you just want to give examples of things you did, without focusing on what came first. Let’s take a look at an example below!
週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだり、散歩したりします。
Shuumatsu wa eiga o mitari, hon o yondari, sanpo shitari shimasu.
I spend my weekends watching movies, reading books, and taking walks (among other things).
The order in which these activities happen is left vague due to the use of たり (tari). It could mean this person watched a movie first, then read a book, or maybe went for a walk first.
If this sentence were written using the -て form, it would imply a stricter order of events.
Because of this flexibility, たりたり (tari tari) is an excellent structure for listing multiple examples of actions or experiences.
This grammar pattern is created by conjugating verbs into their た-form (ta-form) and then attaching り (ri). Just like with the te-form, verbs are divided into three groups (Godan, Ichidan, and Irregular), and their ta-form conjugation follows specific rules. You finish the sentence by appending the last Verb-たり with する (suru) or します (shimasu).
Example pattern:
- 食べます → 食べた → 食べたり (tabemasu → tabeta → tabetari)
- 行きます → 行った → 行ったり (ikimasu → itta → ittari)
You can also use たりたり (tari tari) in the past tense by changing the final verb (usually する) into しました (shimashita). Because the たりたり structure focuses on examples rather than order, it’s also very common to use it when talking about what you did over the weekend, on vacation, or during a specific event.
日曜日は買い物をしたり、料理をしたりしました。
Nichiyoubi wa kaimono o shitari, ryouri o shitari shimashita.
On Sunday, I did things like shopping and cooking.
6. ~くて and で (~Kute and ~De)
In Japanese, connecting multiple adjectives isn’t as straightforward as simply saying “beautiful and smart” in English. To link adjectives with “and,” Japanese uses different endings depending on the type of adjective.
Adjectives in Japanese are classified into two types: i-adjectives and na-adjectives. I-adjectives generally end in い (i). Na-adjectives do not usually do not end in い (i), although some words are exceptions, like 綺麗 (kirei).
I-Adjectives
I-adjectives generally end in い (i). To connect an i-adjective with another adjective, replace the final い (i) with くて (-kute).
For example, the Japanese adjective 素晴らしい (subarashii), which means “amazing,” would become 素晴らしくて (subarashiikute).
この映画は素晴らしくて面白いです。
Kono eiga wa subarashiikute omoshiroi desu.
This movie is amazing and interesting.
Na adjective
For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective. We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as an exception
For example, the word pretty in Japanese, 綺麗 (kirei), ends in i, but is boxed as a な-adjective, so it becomes 綺麗で when you link it with another word.
この部屋は静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is quiet and clean.
For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective.
We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as exceptions.
この部屋は広くて静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa hirokute shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is spacious, quiet, and clean.
Here, 広い (hiroi) is an i-adjective, so it becomes 広くて (hirokute), and 静か (shizuka) is a na-adjective, so it becomes 静かで (shizuka de).
7. し
| Word Type | StructureStructure |
| Verb | Verb (dictionary form) + し |
| I-Adjective | Adjective (i-form) + し |
| Na-Adjective | Adjective (na-form) + だし |
| Noun | Noun + だし |
The particle し (shi) is another way to express “and” in Japanese, but it carries a slightly different nuance than the others we’ve covered. Rather than simply linking two ideas, し (shi) adds an emphatic or explanatory tone. It’s often used when you want to list multiple reasons, qualities, or examples, with the feeling of “and what’s more” or “not only… but also…”.
Think of it as a way to build up information or justify a statement.
天気もいいし、公園に行こう！
Tenki mo ii shi, kouen ni ikou!
The weather’s nice, so let’s go to the park!
Here, し (shi) connects the good weather to the speaker’s decision. It implies that the nice weather is one of several reasons (maybe they also have free time or just feel like going out), even if those reasons aren’t said out loud.
You can also use し (shi) to talk about someone or something that has several positive (or even negative) traits.
日本は食べ物もおいしいし、人もやさしいです。
Nihon wa tabemono mo oishii shi, hito mo yasashii desu.
Japan has delicious food, and the people are kind too.
Compared to simply using the -て form (like おいしくて、やさしい), し (shi) adds more emotion. It feels like you’re emphasizing how great Japan is for many reasons, not just listing facts.
Of course, し (shi) has additional uses beyond simply connecting words with “and.” One important function is to indicate a reason or cause. When combined with んだ (nda), it can add a sense of explanation, often used when giving advice or justifying something.
For example, you might want to explain why you can’t go out:
疲れてるし、今日は早く帰ろうと思うんだ。
Tsukareteru shi, kyou wa hayaku kaerou to omou nda.
I’m tired, so I’m thinking of going home early today.
In situations where the reason is unfavorable or inconvenient, it’s also common to add で (de) for emphasis, stressing the negative aspect of the situation.
Another nuance of し is its use in casual conversation to trail off a sentence. You can end a sentence with し without finishing it, leaving the rest implied. This is especially useful if you want to decline politely or hint at other reasons without stating them directly.
For example, if someone asks you on a date but you don’t want to go, you might say:
明日も仕事があるし…
Ashita mo shigoto ga aru shi…
I also have work tomorrow, and…
Here, the trailing し implies there are other reasons as well, but you don’t have to say them. It’s a subtle, natural way to soften your response and avoid being too direct, which is considered more polite in Japanese culture.
Other Ways to Say “And” in Japanese
Besides particles like と (to), や (ya), and structures like ～て, Japanese also uses sentence connectors to link ideas, sentences, or actions smoothly. These connectors don’t always translate directly as “and,” but the nuance they carry often makes them the natural choice in context.
One of the most common is そして (soshite). Literally, it means “and then” or simply “and,” and it’s used to connect sentences or clauses rather than individual words. It often signals a sequence of events or adds additional information.
For example:
私は朝ご飯を食べました。そして、学校に行きました。
Watashi wa asagohan o tabemashita. Soshite, gakkou ni ikimashita.
I ate breakfast. And then, I went to school.
Other connectors like その上 (sono ue), それに (soreni), and さらに (sarani) are often used to add information, carrying meanings similar to “and also” or “on top of that.” These are useful when you want to emphasize extra points or reasons:
Example:
このレストランは料理がおいしいです。その上、店員さんも親切です。
Kono resutoran wa ryouri ga oishii desu. Sono ue, ten’in-san mo shinsetsu desu.
This restaurant’s food is delicious. On top of that, the staff is kind.
And That’s a Wrap!
By using these particles and sentence-level connectors, you can create smooth, natural Japanese sentences that link ideas clearly and even add emphasis when needed.
Of course, learning Japanese is more than just knowing how to say “and.” As we explored above, it’s important to conjugate verbs correctly, expand your vocabulary, and master other grammar points to communicate naturally.
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FAQ
What is the easiest way to say “and” in Japanese?
The simplest way to say “and” in Japanese is to use the particle と (to). It connects two nouns in a fixed list.
What’s the difference between と (to) and や (ya)?
While と lists a fixed, complete set of nouns, や (ya) is used for non-exhaustive lists, implying there are other items not mentioned.
How does し (shi) work as “and” in Japanese?
し (shi) is used to emphasize reasons, qualities, or multiple points, similar to “and what’s more” or “not only… but also” in English. It can follow verbs, adjectives, or nouns (with だし for na-adjectives and nouns).
What are sentence-level connectors like そして, それに, and さらに?
For linking whole sentences, connectors like そして (soshite), それに (soreni), その上 (sono ue), and さらに (sarani) are often used. They function like “and then,” “and also,” or “on top of that” in English.
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