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:

蒸した野菜はとても美味しいです。

Mushita yasai wa totemo oishii desu

Steamed vegetables are very tasty.

Steamed vegetables are very delicious.

• 蒸した - Verb 蒸す (mussu) in the past, which means "steamed".
• 野菜 - Noun that means "vegetables"
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - Adverb that means "very"
• 美味しい - adjective meaning "delicious"
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

義務を果たすことは大切です。

Gimu wo hatasu koto wa taisetsu desu

Fulfilling obligations is important.

It is important to fulfill your duty.

• 義務 (gimu) - Duty, obligation
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 果たす (hatasu) - fulfill, carry out
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

羽を持つ鳥は自由に飛ぶことができる。

Hane wo motsu tori wa jiyuu ni tobu koto ga dekiru

A bird with wings can fly freely.

Birds with wings can fly freely.

• 羽を持つ鳥 - Feathered birds
• は - Topic particle
• 自由に - Freely
• 飛ぶ - Fly
• ことができる - Able to do

自然に生きることが大切です。

Shizen ni ikiru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to live naturally.

It is important to live naturally.

• 自然に - means "naturally".
• 生きる - means "to live".
• ことが - is a particle that indicates that what follows is a noun or noun phrase.
• 大切 - means "important".
• です - is a particle that indicates that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative.

自衛は大切なことです。

Translation: Self

defense is an important thing

Self -defense is important.

• 自衛 - it means self-defense or self-defense.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大切 - means important or valuable.
• な - grammatical particle indicating an adjective.
• こと - it means thing or matter.
• です - verb to be in polite form.

舌が短いと言われる。

Shita ga mijikai to iwareru

They say I have a short tongue.

They say the tongue is short.

• 舌 - Tongue
• が - subject particle
• 短い - short
• と - Quote particle
• 言われる - ser dito

続けることが成功の秘訣です。

Tsuzukeru koto ga seikou no hiketsu desu

To keep going is the secret to success.

Continuing is the key to success.

• 続ける - Continue
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 成功 - success
• の - Possession particle
• 秘訣 - secret
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

繋ぐことが大切です。

Tsunagu koto ga taisetsu desu

Connecting is important.

It is important to connect.

• 繋ぐ (tsunagu) - means "connect" or "unite"
• こと (koto) - it is a suffix that indicates "thing" or "fact"
• が (ga) - it is a particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - means "important" or "valuable"
• です (desu) - It is a linking verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

罰することは必要な場合があります。

Bachi suru koto wa hitsuyou na baai ga arimasu

Sometimes it is necessary to punish.

Punishment may be necessary.

• 罰すること - action to punish
• は - Topic particle
• 必要な - necessary
• 場合 - case
• が - subject particle
• あります - exists

穴があるところから光が入る。

Ana ga aru tokoro kara hikari ga hairu

Light enters where there is a hole.

Light enters from where there is a hole.

• 穴があるところから - "a partir from the place where there is a hole"
• 光が入る - "the light enters"