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:

私たちは離れることを決めました。

Watashitachi wa hanareru koto o kimemashita

We decided to separate.

We decided to leave.

• 私たちは - 私たち
• 離れる - "se separar" em japonês é "別れる" (wakaru).
• ことを - particle that indicates the object of the action in Japanese
• 決めました - decidimos

私たちは過去の過ちを打ち消すことができます。

Watashitachi wa kako no ayamachi o uchikesu koto ga dekimasu

We can erase our past mistakes.

We can cancel past mistakes.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 過去の過ちを - "Mistakes of the past" in Japanese
• 打ち消す - "Cancel" in Japanese
• ことが - Particle that indicates that the sentence continues
• できます - "Can be done" in Japanese

私たちは彼らと比べても同じくらい優れていると思います。

Watashitachi wa karera to kurabete mo onaji kurai sugurete iru to omoimasu

I think we are as good as they are.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 彼らと - with them
• 比べても - even comparing
• 同じくらい - same level
• 優れている - be excellent
• と思います - I think

私の夢は牧場を持つことです。

Watashi no yume wa bokujou wo motsu koto desu

My dream is to have a farm.

My dream is to have a ranch.

• 私の夢は - "Watashi no yume wa" means "My dream is"
• 牧場を - "Bokujou wo" means "a farm"
• 持つこと - "Motsu koto" means "to have"
• です - "Desu" is a particle that indicates a formal statement

私の友達はとても親切です。

Watashi no tomodachi wa totemo shinsetsu desu

My friends are very kind.

• 私の友達 - "Watashi no tomodachi" means "my friend" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• とても - "totemo" means "very" in Japanese.
• 親切 - "shinsetsu" means "kind" or "gentle" in Japanese.
• です - "Desu" is a polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese.

私の指がドアに挟まる。

Watashi no yubi ga doa ni hasamaru

My finger gets stuck in the door.

My finger is captured by the door.

• 私の指が - "My finger"
• ドアに - "at the door"
• 挟まる - "got stuck"

私の課は日本語を勉強することです。

Watashi no ka wa nihongo wo benkyou suru koto desu

My section is to study Japanese.

• 私の課 (watashi no ka) - "my task"
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - "Japanese"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 勉強する (benkyou suru) - "study"
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

私の職務は顧客サポートです。

Watashi no shokumu wa kokyaku sapōto desu

My duties are customer support.

• 私の職務 - "My role/job"
• は - Topic marking particle
• 顧客 - "Customers"
• サポート - "Suporte"
• です - End of sentence punctuation, indicating that the sentence is affirmative and formal.

私の部門は新しいプロジェクトに取り組んでいます。

Watashi no bumon wa atarashii purojekuto ni torikunde imasu

My department is working on a new project.

• 私の部門 - "Watashi no bumon" means "my department" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 新しい - "atarashii" means "new" in Japanese.
• プロジェクト - "purojekuto" is a word in Japanese that means "project".
• に - "ni" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of an action.
• 取り組んでいます - "torikundeimasu" is a verbal form in Japanese that means "we are working hard."

私の身長は一メートル六十センチです。

Watashi no shinchou wa ichi meetoru rokujuu senchi desu

My height is 1 meter and 60 centimeters.

My height is 60 cm per meter.

• 私の身長は - "Watashi no shinchou wa" means "My height is"
• 一メートル - "Ichi meetoru" means "One meter"
• 六十センチ - "Rokujuu senchi" means "Sixty centimeters"
• です - "Desu" is a particle that indicates the conclusion of the sentence and can be translated as "is" or "are"