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:

死刑は人権侵害だと考えられています。

Shikei wa jinken shingai da to kangaerareteimasu

The death penalty is considered a violation of human rights.

The death penalty is considered a violation of human rights.

• 死刑 - Death penalty
• は - Topic particle
• 人権 - human rights
• 侵害 - violation
• だと - expression indicating an opinion or belief
• 考えられています - is considered

格差が社会問題として深刻化している。

Kakusa ga shakai mondai to shite shinkokuka shite iru

Inequality is becoming a serious social problem.

The gap is becoming more serious as a social problem.

• 格差 - inequality
• が - subject particle
• 社会 - society
• 問題 - problem
• として - how
• 深刻化 - worsening
• している - It's running

楽しむことが大切です。

Tanoshimu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to enjoy life.

It is important to enjoy.

• 楽しむ - It means "have fun" or "enjoy".
• こと - It is a noun that means "thing" or "fact"
• が - is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable"
• です - It is a polite way of saying "to be" or "to stay"

標準を守ることは重要です。

Hyoujun wo mamoru koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to follow the pattern.

It is important to follow the pattern.

• 標準 - pattern
• を - object particle
• 守る - protect, maintain
• こと - abstract noun
• は - Topic particle
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

果物はとても美味しいです。

Kudamono wa totemo oishii desu

The fruits are very delicious.

The fruits are very delicious.

• 果物 (kudamono) - fruits
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 美味しい (oishii) - tasty, delicious
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

書き取りは日本語の勉強にとても役立ちます。

Kakitori wa nihongo no benkyou ni totemo yakudachimasu

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

• 書き取り - WRITING
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possession particle
• 勉強 - study
• に - target particle
• とても - very
• 役立ちます - To be useful

是非とも参加してください。

Shihai tomo sanka shite kudasai

Please participate at all costs.

Please join us.

• 是非とも - expression that means "by all means," "in any way"
• 参加 - verb that means "to participate"
• してください - expression that means "please, do"

早めに行動することが成功の秘訣です。

Hayameni koudou suru koto ga seikou no hikitsudesu

Acting quickly is the key to success.

Taking action early is the key to success.

• 早めに - advance care, precaution
• 行動する - act, take measures
• ことが - particle that indicates that the previous sentence is the subject of the following sentence
• 成功の - success
• 秘訣 - secret, key
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

明日は晴れるといいですね。

Ashita wa hareru to ii desu ne

I hope the sun shines tomorrow.

I hope it will be sunny tomorrow.

• 明日 - tomorrow
• は - Topic particle
• 晴れる - to be sunny
• と - Quote particle
• いい - good
• です - Verb "to be"
• ね - completion particle

敗北を受け入れることが勝利への第一歩です。

Haiboku wo ukeireru koto ga shouri e no daiichiho desu

Accepting defeat is the first step to victory.

Accepting defeat is the first step to victory.

• 敗北 (haiboku) - defeat
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 受け入れる (ukeireru) - accept, receive
• こと (koto) - noun maker
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 勝利 (shouri) - victory
• への (he no) - Direction particle
• 第一歩 (daiippou) - First step
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay