等
Such as, Things like, Etc., And so on
Structure
Noun + など + の + Noun
Explanation
など is a particle used to list one or more examples, implying that there are other similar items not mentioned. Because of this, it is often translated into English as 'things like', 'such as', or 'and so on'.
など can follow a noun to indicate that (A) is just one example from a set of things. Alternatively, when など is followed by の (B), it specifies that (A) is an example belonging to the larger category of (B).
- テーブルの上に財布などを置かないでください。Please don't put things like your wallet on the table.
- 私は野球などのスポーツが好きです。I like sports, such as baseball.
など is also frequently written with its kanji, 等. This character itself carries a meaning similar to 'etcetera' or 'and others'. Fun Fact
Interestingly, the kanji 等 is also the character used for the plural suffix, ら. This connection shows how this kanji is consistently utilized to suggest an item is part of a bigger collection.
- 朝はコーヒーやお茶等をよく飲みます。In the morning, I often drink things like coffee or tea.
- あいつ等は何をしているの？What are those guys doing?
In the first sentence, など singles out (A) as representative of a larger list of similar items. The second sentence functions in the exact same way with ら.
Fun Fact
At times, など is also expressed as なんか, which can be used interchangeably in many contexts. However, なんか is never written with the kanji 等.
Examples
犬や猫などのペットが好きです。
I like pets such as dogs and cats. (etc. / and so on)
晩ご飯は寿司などが食べたいです。
For dinner, I want to eat something like sushi. (etc. / and so on)
ここに名前などを書いてください。
Please write things like your name here. (etc. / and so on)
休日は、買い物などをして過ごします。
On my days off, I spend my time doing things like shopping. (etc. / and so on)
英語などの科目が得意です。
I am good at subjects like English. (etc. / and so on)
頭や喉などが痛い。
Places like my head and throat hurt. (etc. / and so on)
先生などが会議に参加します。
People such as teachers will participate in the meeting. (etc. / and so on)
ペンなどで書いてもいいですよ。
It's okay to write with something like a pen. (etc. / and so on)
昨日、服や靴などをたくさん買いました。
Yesterday, I bought a lot of things like clothes and shoes. (etc. / and so on)
アニメなどの日本の文化に興味があります。
I'm interested in aspects of Japanese culture such as anime. (etc. / and so on)
週末はスポーツなどをして楽しんでいます。
On weekends, I enjoy doing things like playing sports. (etc. / and so on)
うちに帰ってから、テレビを見るなどしてリラックスします。
After I get home, I relax by doing things like watching TV. (etc. / and so on)