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:

福は家族と健康にある。

Fuku wa kazoku to kenkou ni aru

Happiness is in family and health.

Fuku is in family and health.

• 福 (fuku) - happiness, luck
• 家族 (kazoku) - family
• と (to) - e (connecting particle)
• 健康 (kenkou) - health
• に (ni) - in, at (location particle)
• ある (aru) - be, exist (verb)

私は同じことを繰り返すとすぐに飽きます。

Watashi wa onaji koto wo kurikaesu to sugu ni akiramasu

I get bored quickly when I do the same thing over and over again.

I get bored as soon as I repeat the same thing.

• 私 (watashi) - I
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 同じ (onaji) - Mesmo, igual
• こと (koto) - thing
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 繰り返す (kurikaesu) - repeat
• と (to) - Quote particle
• すぐに (sugu ni) - immediately
• 飽きます (akimasu) - to get bored, tired

短歌を詠むことは日本の伝統的な文化です。

Tanka wo utamu koto wa Nihon no dentōteki na bunka desu

Composing tanka is a traditional Japanese culture.

Writing a tanka is a traditional Japanese culture.

• 短歌 - a type of Japanese poem with 31 syllables
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 詠む - verb meaning "to recite" or "to sing" a poem
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 伝統的な - adjective meaning "traditional"
• 文化 - culture
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

砕けるほど強くなる

Kudakeru hodo tsuyoku naru

Become stronger to the point of breaking.

The more you break, the stronger

• 砕ける - break
• ほど - hodo (so much, to the point of)
• 強く - strong
• なる - become

磁気は地球の磁場を感じることができます。

Jiki wa chikyū no jiba o kanjiru koto ga dekimasu

The magnetic can feel the Earth's magnetic field.

The magnetic can feel the Earth's magnetic field.

• 磁気 (jiki) - magnetism
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 地球 (chikyuu) - Earth
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 磁場 (jiba) - magnetic field
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 感じる (kanjiru) - feel
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - Be able to

祝いをすることは大切な文化です。

Iwai wo suru koto wa taisetsu na bunka desu

Celebrating is an important culture.

Celebration is an important culture.

• 祝い (iwai) - celebration, party
• を (wo) - object particle
• する (suru) - to do, to accomplish
• こと (koto) - abstract noun, thing
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 文化 (bunka) - culture
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

看病することは大切です。

Kanbyou suru koto wa taisetsu desu

Taking care of health is important.

It's important to be careful.

• 看病することは
• 大切です。

Explanation -

- Start of list
• - Item from the list 看病することは - Japanese phrase that means "Taking care of your health is important"
• - Segundo item da lista 大切です。- Phrase in Japanese that means "It's important"

- End of list

生存は人間にとって最も基本的な欲求の一つです。

Seizon wa ningen ni totte mottomo kihonteki na yokkyū no hitotsu desu

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

• 生存 - survival
• 人間 - Human being
• にとって - for
• 最も - the most
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 欲求 - wish
• の - of
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - is

畳の上で寝るのはとても快適です。

Tatami no ue de neru no wa totemo kaiteki desu

Sleeping on top of the tatami is very comfortable.

Sleeping in a Tatami carpet is very comfortable.

• 畳 - tatami (a type of straw mat used as a floor covering in Japanese homes)
• の - Particle of possession or connection
• 上 - above, on
• で - Location particle
• 寝る - sleep
• の - connecting particle
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 快適 - Comfortable, pleasant
• です - verb to be in the polite form

温泉に入ると心も体もリフレッシュできる。

Onsen ni hairu to kokoro mo karada mo rifuresshu dekiru

Taking a bath in a hot spring can refresh your mind and body.

When you enter the hot spring, you can refresh your mind and body.

• 温泉 - hot springs
• に - particle indicating location
• 入る - login
• と - particle that indicates a cause-and-effect relationship
• 心 - heart, mind
• も - particle that indicates inclusion
• 体 - body
• も - particle that indicates inclusion
• リフレッシュ - refresh, renew
• できる - Be able to