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:

アクセントが大切です。

Akusento ga taisetsu desu

The accent is important.

The accent is important.

• アクセント (akusento) - accent
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - polite form of the verb "to be"

アップすると体が温まります。

Appu suru to karada ga atatamarimasu

When you send it, your body heats up.

• アップする - warm up, prepare
• と - particle indicating condition or consequence
• 体 - body
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 温まります - warm up

イエスは「はい」という意味です。

Iesu wa "hai" to iu imi desu

Hai means "yes".

• イエス - word in Japanese that means "yes" or "yes sir".
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 「 - character in Japanese that indicates the beginning of a direct quote.
• はい - The word in Japanese that means "yes".
• 」 - character in Japanese that indicates the end of a direct quotation.
• という - expression in Japanese that means "called" or "said as".
• 意味 - word in Japanese that means "meaning".
• です - verb in Japanese that indicates the current state of the sentence, equivalent to the verb "to be" in Portuguese.

いけないことをしてはいけません。

Ikenai koto o shite wa ikemasen

Don't do anything you can't do.

• いけない - not allowed
• こと - thing
• を - object particle
• して - doing
• は - Topic particle
• いけません - should not be done

エレガントなドレスを着てパーティーに行きます。

Elegant na doresu wo kite paatii ni ikimasu

I go to a party wearing an elegant dress.

• エレガントな - elegant
• ドレス - dress
• を - direct object particle
• 着て - dressing (gerund verb)
• パーティー - party
• に - target particle
• 行きます - go

お兄さんはとても優しい人です。

Oniisan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My older brother is a very kind person.

Your brother is a very kind person.

• お兄さん - Older brother
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - kind
• 人 - person
• です - verb to be in the polite form

お出でになることが大切です。

O ide ni naru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to leave.

It is important to be out.

• お出でになること - It means "to attend" or "to be present", it's a formal expression in Japanese.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

お祖母さんはとても優しい人です。

Obaasan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My grandmother is a very kind person.

• お祖母さん - grandmother
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - kind
• 人 - person
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

お祖父さんはとても優しい人です。

Ojiisan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My grandfather is a very kind person.

• お祖父さん - Grandmother
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - kind
• 人 - person
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

カーペットを敷くと部屋が暖かくなる。

Kāpetto wo shiku to heya ga atatakaku naru

Lying a rug warms the room.

• カーペット - tapete
• を - article indicando objeto direto
• 敷く - colocar (tapete)
• と - Article indicating a condition or reason
• 部屋 - sala
• が - Article indicando sujeito
• 暖かく - warm
• なる - para se tornar