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:

私たちは常に新しい挑戦に挑むことが大切です。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni atarashii chōsen ni idomu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to always face new challenges.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 新しい - New
• 挑戦 - challenges
• に - For
• 挑む - face
• こと - things
• が - are
• 大切 - Importantes
• です - are

私たちは信任関係を築くことが重要だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa shinnin kankei o kizuku koto ga juuyou da to shinjite imasu

We believe it is important to build trust.

• 私たちは - We
• 信任関係 - Relationship of trust
• を - object particle
• 築く - Build
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• 重要 - Important
• だ - Abbreviated form of です (to be).
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - We believe

私たちは常に自己啓発を深めることが大切だと信じています。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni jiko keihatsu o fukameru koto ga taisetsu da to shinjiteimasu

We believe it is important to always deepen self -development.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 自己啓発 - Self-development
• を - object particle
• 深める - Deepen
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• 大切 - Important
• だ - Verb "to be"
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - We believe

私たちは常に目標を持って前進することが大切です。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni mokuhyō o motte zenshin suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important that we always advance with our goals.

• 私たちは - We
• 常に - Always
• 目標を - Goals
• 持って - TO HAVE
• 前進することが - advance
• 大切です - is important

私たちはこのプロジェクトで素晴らしい成果を出すことができました。

Watashitachi wa kono purojekuto de subarashii seika o dasu koto ga dekimashita

We managed to get great results on this project.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• この - demonstrative adjective "this"
• プロジェクト - noun "project"
• で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 素晴らしい - adjective "wonderful"
• 成果 - noun "result"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 出す - "to produce"
• ことが - particle indicating action or event
• できました - verb "to be able to"

私たちは話し合うことで問題を解決することができます。

Watashitachi wa hanashiau koto de mondai o kaiketsu suru koto ga dekimasu

We can solve the problem by discussing.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 話し合う - Verb "discuss"
• ことで - Entry that indicates means or method
• 問題を - Noun "problem" with particle "the" indicating direct object
• 解決する - Verb "resolve"
• ことが - particle that indicates subject
• できます - Verb "poder" in potential form

私たちはプレゼントを交換しました。

Watashitachi wa purezento o kōkan shimashita

We exchange gifts.

We exchanged the gift.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• プレゼント - Present in Japanese, written in katakana (one of the Japanese writing systems)
• を - Object particle in Japanese, indicates that the present is the object of the action
• 交換 - Exchange in Japanese
• しました - Polite past form of the verb "to do" in Japanese, indicates that the action has already been completed

私たちは常に自分自身を超えることができます。

Watashitachi wa tsuneni jibun jishin o koeru koto ga dekimasu

We can always go beyond ourselves.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 常に - Always in Japanese
• 自分自身を - Yourself in Japanese
• 超えることができます - We can overcome in Japanese

私たちは多くの製品を取り扱うことができます。

Watashitachi wa ōku no seihin o toriatsukau koto ga dekimasu

We can handle many products.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 多くの - Many
• 製品 - "Products" in Japanese.
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 取り扱う - "Lidar com" or "Manusear" in Japanese
• ことができます - Expression meaning "to be able to" in Japanese

私たちは生き生きとした人生を送りたいです。

Watashitachi wa ikiiki to shita jinsei o okuritai desu

We want to live a lively life.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 生き生きとした - "Vibrant" or "lively" in Japanese.
• 人生を - "Life" in Japanese
• 送りたいです - "We want to send" in Japanese.