N1とN2

How to form it

• Noun + と + Noun: パンと牛乳
• Used for a full list of the items; the last item has no と after it

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Joins nouns in a list when all of the items are named.

と lists everything. や gives only examples, with the feeling that there are more.

Examples

1. パンと牛乳を買います。

   パンとぎゅうにゅうをかいます。

   I buy bread and milk.

2. 家に犬と猫がいます。

   いえにいぬとねこがいます。

   There is a dog and a cat at home.

3. 机の上に本とペンがあります。

   つくえのうえにほんとペンがあります。

   There are a book and a pen on the desk.

Compare with

• N1やN2: や lists examples only, not the whole list.
• ～と（いっしょに）: と after a person means 'with'.

Common mistakes

• Putting と after the last item (パンと牛乳とを買います).
• Using と to join verbs or sentences.