Translation and Meaning of: と - to

The Japanese word と [to] is one of the most fundamental and frequently used particles in the language. If you are learning Japanese, you have certainly come across it in basic sentences or even in more complex dialogues. In this article, we will explore its meaning, common uses, and how it fits into the grammatical structure of Japanese. Moreover, we will look at some curiosities about how this small particle can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

If you have already used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you know that it is a great tool for understanding words and particles like と. Here, we go beyond simple translation and dive into the details that make this particle so essential for communication in Japan. Shall we begin?

The basic meaning and usage of と

The particle と has as its main function to indicate companionship or connection between elements. In English, it can be translated as "and" or "with," depending on the context. For example, in the phrase "りんごとバナナ" (ringo to banana), it means "apple and banana," joining the two items in a list.

Another common use is to express joint action, as in "友達と映画を見た" (tomodachi to eiga o mita), which means "I watched a movie with a friend." Note how と establishes a relationship between the mentioned people or objects, creating a clear connection in the sentence.

The origin and evolution of と

Linguistic studies indicate that と comes from ancient Japanese, where it already served similar functions to the current ones. Unlike many particles that have undergone significant changes over the centuries, と has maintained its form and basic use practically unchanged since the Heian period (794-1185).

Interestingly, research shows that と is one of the oldest particles still in continuous use in modern Japanese. Its simplicity and versatility explain why it has stood the test of time, appearing even in some of Japan's oldest texts.

Tips for using と correctly

A common confusion among students is when to use と instead of other particles like や (ya) or に (ni). Remember: と indicates a complete list or a specific joint action, while や suggests an incomplete list. For example, "本とノート" (hon to nōto) specifically means "book and notebook," without other implied items.

To better memorize, try to associate と with the symbol of a link or chain, as it always connects elements in a direct and explicit way. Another tip is to pay attention to dialogues in anime or Japanese dramas, where と appears frequently in everyday conversations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 無論 (muron) - Without a doubt
• 当然 (touzen) - Naturally; Of course
• なんといっても (nanto ittemo) - In any case; Above all
• そうだろう (sou darou) - That's not how it is, right?
• そうに決まっている (sou ni kimatteru) - Sure it is like that.
• そうだと思う (sou da to omou) - I think it's like this.
• そう思う (sou omou) - I think like this
• そうでしょう (sou deshou) - Isn't it true?
• そうですね (sou desu ne) - This is true, isn’t it?
• そうだね (sou da ne) - That's right, isn't it?
• そうだよね (sou da yo ne) - That's right, isn't it?
• そうだよな (sou da yo na) - That's right, isn't it?
• そうだな (sou da na) - Yes, that's right
• そうかな (sou kana) - Is it like this?
• そうだろうか (sou darou ka) - Is it like this?
• そうだとすれば (sou da to sureba) - If that's the case
• そうだとしたら (sou da to shitara) - If this is true
• そうなら (sou nara) - If that's the case
• そうならば (sou naraba) - If that's the case
• そういうことだ (sou iu koto da) - That's how it is
• そういうことになる (sou iu koto ni naru) - It will reach that point.
• そういうことになっている (sou iu koto ni natteiru) - It is defined like this
• そういうことになった (sou iu koto ni natta) - This happened
• そういうことになると (sou iu koto ni naru to) - If this happens
• そういうことになると思う (sou iu koto ni naru to omou) - I think it's going to be like this.

と

Romaji: to
Kana: と
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: 1. if (conjunction); 2. Promoted pawn (shogi) (ABBR)

Meaning in English: 1. if (conjunction); 2. promoted pawn (shogi) (abbr)

Definition: "To" is a conjunction that expresses a connection between sentences or words.

Example Sentences - (と) to

See below some example sentences:

私たちは美味しい且つ健康的な食事を食べることが大切だと思います。

Watashitachi wa oishii katsu kenkō

I think it's important to eat delicious and healthy meals.

• 私たち - Personal pronoun "we"
• 美味しい - Adjective "delicious"
• 且つ - conjunction "and"
• 健康的な - adjective "healthy"
• 食事 - noun "meal"
• を - direct object" particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• こと - noun "thing"
• が - subject" particle
• 大切 - adjective "important"
• だ - verb to be"
• と - quote" particle
• 思います - verb "to think"

私たちは共感することができます。

Watashitachi wa kyōkan suru koto ga dekimasu

We can empathize.

We can sympathize.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 共感する - "To be able to identify with"
• ことが - Japanese particle that indicates an action or event
• できます - "Ser capaz de" in Japanese

私たちは自分たちの思考を局限することができます。

Watashitachi wa jibuntachi no shikō o kyokugen suru koto ga dekimasu

We can limit our thoughts.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 自分たちの - "Our own" in Japanese
• 思考を - "Thought" in Japanese
• 局限する - "Limit" in Japanese
• ことができます - "Can be done" in Japanese

私たちは異なる観点から問題を見ることができます。

Watashitachi wa kotonaru kanten kara mondai o miru koto ga dekimasu

We can see the problem from a different perspective.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 異なる - "Diferente" in Japanese
• 観点 - "Perspective" in Japanese
• から - "De" in Japanese, indicating the origin of the action
• 問題 - "Problem" in Japanese
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 見る - "Ver" in Japanese
• こと - Suffix in Japanese indicating an action or event
• が - Particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます - "Can be done" in Japanese

私たちは心を繋げることができます。

Watashitachi wa kokoro wo tsunageru koto ga dekimasu

We can connect our hearts.

We can connect our hearts.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 心を - "Coração" in Japanese, followed by the particle "wo" that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 繋げる - "To connect" in Japanese, in the infinitive.
• ことが - Particle "koto ga" indicating action or event
• できます - "Can be done" or "is possible" in Japanese, in the present affirmative.

私たちは彼女に愛を給うことができます。

Watashitachi wa kanojo ni ai o tamau koto ga dekimasu

We can give her love.

We can give her love.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 彼女に - "彼女のために"
• 愛を - "愛" em japonês
• 給う - "to give" in Japanese
• ことができます - "できます"

私たちは良好な関係を築くことができました。

Watashitachi wa ryoukou na kankei wo kizuku koto ga dekimashita

We managed to build a good relationship.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 良好な - "Good" or "positive" in Japanese
• 関係を - "Relationship" in Japanese.
• 築くことが - "Construir" in Japanese is "建設する" (けんせつする).
• できました - 「可能でした」 ou 「実施されました」

私たちは自然を養うことが大切だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa shizen o yashinau koto ga taisetsu da to shinjite imasu

We believe that it is important to cultivate nature.

We believe that it is important to develop nature.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 自然を - "Nature" in Japanese, direct object of the sentence.
• 養う - "Cultivar" or "nurture" in Japanese, a verb that indicates the action to be taken.
• ことが - Japanese particle that indicates that "cultivating nature" is the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - "Important" or "valuable" in Japanese, an adjective that qualifies the action of cultivating nature.
• と - Japanese particle that indicates that the sentence continues
• 信じています - "Acreditamos" in Japanese, a verb that indicates the belief or opinion of the speakers.

私たちはとても親しい友達です。

Watashitachi wa totemo shitashii tomodachi desu

We are very close friends.

We are very close friends.

• 私たちは - We
• とても - Very
• 親しい - Next, close
• 友達 - friends
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

私たちは力を合わせてこのプロジェクトを完成させます。

Watashitachi wa chikara o awasete kono purojekuto o kansei sasemasu

Let's join our forces to complete this project.

We will work together to complete this project.

• 私たちは - "We"
• 力を合わせて - "Joining forces"
• この - "This"
• プロジェクトを - "Project"
• 完成させます - "We will complete"