The particle "와" is used in the Korean language to connect nouns, similar to the English word "and." It is typically used after a noun that ends in a consonant. For example, in the phrase "사과와 바나나" (apple and banana), "와" links the two fruits together. In contrast, when a noun ends in a vowel, the particle "과" is used instead. For instance, "사람과 동물" (person and animal) demonstrates this rule. Understanding the correct usage of "와" and "과" is essential for forming clear and grammatically correct sentences in Korean.