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:

経済は国の発展にとって非常に重要です。

Keizai wa kuni no hatten ni totte hijō ni jūyō desu

The economy is very important for the country's development.

• 経済 - Economy
• は - Topic particle
• 国 - Country
• の - Possessive particle
• 発展 - Development
• にとって - For
• 非常に - Very
• 重要 - Important
• です - Verb to be (formal)

絨毯を敷くと部屋が暖かくなります。

Jūtan o shiku to heya ga atatakaku narimasu

Put a rug to heat the room.

• 絨毯 - mat
• を - object particle
• 敷く - place, spread
• と - Comparison particle
• 部屋 - Room, living room
• が - subject particle
• 暖かく - Hot, warm
• なります - becomes

維持することは重要です。

Iji suru koto wa juuyou desu

Maintaining is important.

It is important to maintain.

• 維持する - keep
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

緩和することが必要です。

Kanwa suru koto ga hitsuyou desu

It is necessary to relax.

• 緩和する - It means "relieve" or "ease". It is a verb in the dictionary form.
• こと - means "thing" or "fact". It is a noun that functions as a nominal marker to indicate that the previous verb is the subject of the sentence.
• が - it is a particle that marks the subject of the sentence. In this case, it indicates that "aliviar" is the subject.
• 必要 - "necessário" means "necessary". It is an adjective in the dictionary form.
• です - It is a polite way of saying "to be" or "to be". In this case, it indicates that the sentence is a statement and that what was said is true.

締め切りまであと一週間です。

Shimekiri made ato ichi shuukan desu

It's just a week before the deadline.

• 締め切り (shimekiri) - deadline
• まで (made) - up until
• あと (ato) - outstanding
• 一週間 (isshukan) - A week
• です (desu) - is

罰を受けることは避けたいです。

Batsu wo ukeru koto wa saketai desu

I want to avoid being punished.

• 罰を受ける - Receiving a punishment
• こと - Particle indicating that the previous word is a noun
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 避けたい - Want to avoid
• です - particle indicating the formality of the sentence

繰り返すことは学びの基礎です。

Kurikaesu koto wa manabi no kiso desu

Repetition is the basis of learning.

• 繰り返す - repeat
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 学び - learning
• の - Possessive particle
• 基礎 - base/foundation
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

考えることが大切です。

Kangaeru koto ga taisetsu desu

Thinking is important.

It is important to think.

• 考えること - means "to think" or "reflect" in Japanese.
• が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.

育成は大切なことです。

Ikuzei wa taisetsu na koto desu

Training is an important thing.

Training is important.

• 育成 - means "creation" or "education".
• は - grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "creation/education".
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• な - grammatical particle indicating an adjective.
• こと - means "thing" or "subject".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite and formal form.

腰掛けてゆっくりと休む。

Koshikakete yukkuri to yasumu

Sit and rest slowly.

Sit down and rest slowly.

• 腰掛けて - sit down
• ゆっくりと - slowly
• 休む - rest