Japanese grammar
What does ～など mean? Japanese grammar N4
～など means ~ etc., ~ and so on.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N や N など N など |
| Romaji | ~ nado |
| Meaning | ~ etc., ~ and so on |
Forming it
| With や | N + や + N + など |
|---|---|
| Standing alone | N + など |
| Spoken language | なんか (casual) |
How to use it
Ends a list, implying there are other unmentioned items.
- など sits at the END of a list, meaning "etc.": 「机の上に本やノートなどがあります」(on the desk there are books, notebooks, etc.). The pair や～など is the classic combination in written language.
- Unlike とか (spoken, can attach after verbs), など is more formal and mainly attaches after NOUNS. In reading passages and notices, など appears far more often than とか.
- など can also carry a HUMBLE or SELF-DEPRECATING nuance when talking about oneself or one's own things: 「私などまだまだです」(someone like me still has a long way to go). とか doesn't have this nuance.
- In casual speech it contracts to なんか: 「映画なんか見ませんか」(want to watch a movie or something?).
Examples
机の上に本やノートなどがあります。
There are books, notebooks, and so on, on the desk.
日本ではお客さんにお茶やお菓子などを出します。
In Japan, people serve guests tea, sweets, and the like.
私などまだまだ下手です。
Someone like me is still far from good.
Keep in mind
- Ordinary particles still attach after など: 「本やノートなどを買いました」.
- Don't use など when the list is COMPLETE — in that case use と: 「A と B を買いました」 (bought exactly those two things).
Common mistakes
-
Wrong本を読むなど映画を見るなどします。
I do things like reading books and watching movies.
Correct本を読むとか映画を見るとかします。
など mainly attaches after NOUNS and stands at the end of a list; when listing VERBS, use とか.
-
Wrongりんごとバナナなどの二つだけを買いました。
I bought exactly two things: apples and bananas.
Correctりんごとバナナの二つだけを買いました。
など implies "there's more besides this," which contradicts だけ (exactly two things, nothing else) in the same sentence. A COMPLETE, closed list must use と, not など.
-
Wrong果物など食品を買った。
I bought food such as fruit.
Correct果物などの食品を買った。
When modifying a noun, 「の」 is required.
-
Wrong（上司に）部長など、行けますか。
Can the department manager go?
Correct（上司に）部長は行かれますか。
Attaching 「など」 to a person of higher status carries a dismissive nuance — it's disrespectful.
Exam tips
- Remember the trio: と (complete list) — や～など (representative examples, written) — とか (representative examples, spoken).