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:

カードを使って支払いをしました。

Kādo o tsukatte shiharai o shimashita

I made the payment using a card.

I paid using the card.

• カード - "card" in Japanese
• を - object particle
• 使って - gerund form of the verb "to use"
• 支払い - "Payment" in Japanese
• を - object particle
• しました - past form of the verb "fazer"

カセットを買いに行きます。

Kasetto wo kai ni ikimasu

I'm going to buy a cassette tape.

I'm going to buy a tape.

• カセット (kasetto) - Cassette
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 買い (kai) - Purchase
• に (ni) - Destination particle
• 行きます (ikimasu) - Please provide the text you would like to have translated.

がっくりと肩を落とした。

Gakkuri to kata wo otoshita

I dropped my shoulder.

• がっくりと - adverb that indicates a sudden and abrupt movement of falling or discouragement
• 肩を落とした - verb that means "to lower the shoulders," indicating sadness or discouragement

カットした髪型が素敵ですね。

Katto shita kamigata ga suteki desu ne

The cut hairstyle is wonderful.

• カットした - cut
• 髪型 - hairstyle/haircut
• が - subject particle
• 素敵 - beautiful/charming
• です - Verb to be
• ね - confirmation/affirmation particle

カレーはとても美味しいです。

Karee wa totemo oishii desu

The curry is very delicious.

Curry is very delicious.

• カレー (karē) - Curry
• は (wa) - partícula que indica o tópico da frase
• とても (totemo) - muito, extremamente
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicioso, saboroso
• です (desu) - polite copula, similar to "is" or "am" in English

きちっとやりましょう。

kichitto yarimashou

Let's do it right.

Let's do it correctly.

• きちっと - Adverb that means "with precision" or "with accuracy"
• やりましょう - verb that means "let's do"

きっちりと計画を立てる。

Kitchiri to keikaku wo tateru

Plan exactly.

• きっちりと - adverb meaning "precisely" or "exactly."
• 計画 - noun meaning "plan" or "project".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 立てる - verb meaning "create" or "establish."

きちんとした服装で会議に出席しました。

Kichinto shita fukusō de kaigi ni shusseki shimashita

I attended the meeting dressed appropriately.

I attended the meeting in proper clothing.

• きちんとした - well-groomed, well-dressed
• 服装 - clothing, attire
• で - indicates the means, the way something is done
• 会議 - meeting, conference
• に - indicates the place where something happens
• 出席 - presence, attendance
• しました - past tense of the verb "to do"

グランドは広いです。

Gurando wa hiroi desu

The field is large.

The soil is wide.

• グランド - It means "field" or "playing field" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that what comes next is the theme of the sentence
• 広い - adjective in Japanese that means "wide" or "spacious"
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is an affirmation

こちらはどうでしょうか？

Kochira wa dou deshou ka?

How about now?

• こちら - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this one"
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence
• どう - adverb meaning "like"
• でしょう - auxiliary verb that indicates a supposition or possibility
• か - interrogative particle that transforms the sentence into a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question