や vs とか vs など

Connects nouns as and, or; marks a non-exhaustive list

The particle や lists nouns non-exhaustively, meaning the items given are examples and others exist, as in 本や雑誌. It attaches directly to nouns and is more casual than と. It can also appear in set phrases like 〜ていいや expressing mild acceptance.

1. 「もしや、あなたは小川おがわさんではありませんか？」「そうですが、何なにか？」

   "Might you happen to be Mr. Ogawa?" "Well, yes ... can I help you?"

2. ほそぼそとしたアクセスや、たまにくるメールなどに励まされ、ズルズルここまできてしまいました。

   Encouraged by the continuing trickle of hits and the rarely arriving email I've somehow kept going till now.

Used for listing items; or; something like that

とか is used to list examples in a non-exhaustive way, meaning things like A or B, and it can also appear in the set phrase なんとかかんとか, meaning somehow or other. It attaches directly after nouns, as in コーンフレークとか, to suggest representative items rather than a complete list.

1. なんとかかんとかしてこの仕事しごとを一月ひとつき間かんで終おえなくてはならない。

   Somehow you must find a way to finish this work in one month.

2. 彼女はなんとか自分の計画のことを言わずにすませた。

   She managed not to mention her plan.

Things like; and the like; used to dismiss or downplay

など follows a noun or a verb in plain form to mean 'and so on' or 'etc.', listing things as examples. In the examples it also appears after verbs to downplay or dismiss the action, as in saying one cannot pretend to like someone or that speaking loudly is out of the question.

1. 彼かれを気きに入いっているふりなどできない。

   I can't pretend to like him.

2. 与えるものなど何もない。

   I've nothing to give.