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:

和英辞書はとても便利です。

Wa Ei jisho wa totemo benri desu

A Japanese-English dictionary is very useful.

The Japanese-English dictionary is very convenient.

• 和英辞書 - Japanese-English Dictionary
• は - Topic particle
• とても - Very
• 便利 - convenient, useful
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

嘆くことは人間らしいことだ。

Nageku koto wa ningen rashii koto da

Surrounding is something human.

Slut is human.

• 嘆く - to lament, to sigh
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• らしい - similar to, typical of
• こと - thing
• だ - Verb to be/estar

原爆は人類にとって大きな悲劇です。

Gembaku wa jinrui ni totte ookina higeki desu

The atomic bomb is a great tragedy for humanity.

The atomic bomb is a great tragedy for humanity.

• 原爆 (genbaku) - Atomic bomb
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人類 (jinrui) - humanity
• にとって (ni totte) - For
• 大きな (ookina) - great
• 悲劇 (higeki) - tragedy
• です (desu) - is

去年の夏はとても暑かったです。

Kyonen no natsu wa totemo atsukatta desu

Last summer was very hot.

It was very hot last summer.

• 去年 - Last year
• の - Possession particle
• 夏 - summer
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 暑かった - hot
• です - polite way of being

収集することは大切です。

Shuushuu suru koto wa taisetsu desu

Collecting is important.

It is important to collect.

• 収集すること - collection
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

取り消すことができますか？

Torikesu koto ga dekimasu ka?

Can I cancel?

Can you cancel?

• 取り消す - verb "to cancel"
• こと - noun "thing"
• が - subject particle
• できます - verb "to be able to do"
• か - question mark

取れるところまで取ってみよう。

Toreru tokoro made totte miyou

Let's try to get where we can.

Let's take it to the point where you can get it.

• 取れるところまで - as far as it is possible to take
• 取って - take
• みよう - let's try

動物は私たちと共に生きる大切な存在です。

Doubutsu wa watashitachi to tomo ni ikiru taisetsuna sonzai desu

The animals are important beings that live with us.

Animals are important beings who live with us.

• 動物 (doubutsu) - Animal
• は (wa) - marcador de tópico
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we/us
• と (to) - with
• 共に (tomonini) - juntos
• 生きる (ikiru) - "Viver"
• 大切な (taisetsuna) - importante
• 存在 (sonzai) - existência
• です (desu) - copula (to be)

動的なアプリケーションを開発するのはとても楽しいです。

Douteki na apurikeeshon wo kaihatsu suru no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Developing dynamic applications is very pleasant.

Developing a dynamic app is a lot of fun.

• 動的な - dynamic
• アプリケーション - application
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 開発する - develop
• のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - very
• 楽しい - fun
• です - verb to be in the polite form

卯年は兎年とも呼ばれます。

U年はうさぎ年ともよばれます。

The rabbit year is also called the rabbit year.

The rabbit year is also called the rabbit year.

• 卯年 - year of the rabbit in the Chinese calendar
• は - Topic particle
• 兎年 - year of the rabbit in the Japanese calendar
• とも - also
• 呼ばれます - is called