JLPT N1 grammar

〜やmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. A and B (a non-exhaustive list)
  2. A or B (an approximate quantity, e.g. one or two)

How to form it

  • nounやnoun（など）
  • number + counterやnumber + counter

How it is used

1) As with N5 「や」, lists nouns as examples, implying there are others. 2) 「一つや二つ」, 「一度や二度」: 'one or two', a small number, often implying that so few hardly matters; 「一度や二度ではない」 means 'many times'.

Examples

  1. 多くの子供はピーマンやにんじんが嫌いだ。

    Many children hate green peppers and carrots.

  2. この駅で乗り換えを間違えたのは、一度や二度ではない。

    I've got my connection wrong at this station more than once or twice.

  3. この部屋なら、友達の一人や二人は泊められる。

    This room could put up a friend or two for the night.

About the example 1. A and B (shows a non-exhaustive list of items) 2. A or B (small amount)