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:

このブラウスはとてもかわいいですね。

Kono burausu wa totemo kawaii desu ne

This blouse is very cute

This blouse is very cute.

• この - this
• ブラウス - blouse
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• かわいい - pretty, cute
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present
• ね - confirmation particle

この木材はとても堅いです。

Kono mokuzai wa totemo katai desu

This wood is very hard.

This wood is very difficult.

• この - this
• 木材 - wood
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 堅い - Hard
• です - to be (state verb)

この映画の監督はとても有名です。

Kono eiga no kantoku wa totemo yumei desu

The director of this film is very famous.

• この - this
• 映画 - movie
• の - of
• 監督 - Director
• は - is
• とても - very
• 有名 - famous
• です - is (polished form)

この腕時計を着けるのはとても簡単です。

Kono udedokei wo tsukeru no wa totemo kantan desu

Wearing this watch is very easy.

• この - this
• 腕時計 - Wristwatch
• を - direct object particle
• 着ける - use, place
• のは - particle that indicates topic
• とても - very
• 簡単 - easy
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

このシリーズはとても面白いです。

Kono shirīzu wa totemo omoshiroi desu

This series is very interesting.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• シリーズ - noun "series"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 面白い - adjective "interesting/fun"
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form

この機械はとても便利です。

Kono kikai wa totemo benri desu

This machine is very useful.

This machine is very convenient.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that indicates something close to the speaker
• 機械 - noun meaning "machine"
• は - Topic particle, indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 便利 - adjective meaning "useful", "convenient"
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicates the state or quality of the subject

この企画は成功すると信じています。

Kono kikaku wa seikou suru to shinjiteimasu

I believe this plan will succeed.

I believe this project will succeed.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that indicates something close to the speaker
• 企画 - noun meaning "plan" or "project"
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence
• 成功 - noun meaning "success"
• する - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"
• と - particle indicating the quotation of an opinion or thought
• 信じています - verb meaning "to believe" or "to have faith", conjugated in the present affirmative

この施設はとてもきれいです。

Kono shisetsu wa totemo kirei desu

This installation is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that indicates proximity, equivalent to "this" or "this"
• 施設 - noun that means "installation", "equipment", "facility"
• は - topic particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, equivalent to "about" or "regarding"
• とても - adverb that means "very", "extremely"
• きれい - Adjective that means "beautiful", "clean", "tidy"
• です - linking verb that indicates the state or condition of the subject, equivalent to "to be" or "to stay"

この文章はとても面白いです。

Kono bunshou wa totemo omoshiroi desu

This sentence is very interesting.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 文章 - Noun that means "text" or "written document".
• は - Particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• とても - Adverb meaning "a lot".
• 面白い - adjective that means "interesting" or "fun".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

この皿はとても美しいです。

Kono sara wa totemo utsukushii desu

This sign is very beautiful.

This dish is very beautiful.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 皿 - Noun meaning "dish".
• は - Topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• とても - Adverb meaning "a lot".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• です - A linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject.