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:

この仕掛けはとても面白いですね。

Kono shikake wa totemo omoshiroi desu ne

This trick is very interesting

This device is very interesting.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 仕掛け - noun that means "device" or "mechanism"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 面白い - adjective meaning "interesting" or "fun"
• です - verb to be or to be in the polite form
• ね - final particle indicating confirmation or search for agreement

この作戦は成功すると信じています。

Kono sakusen wa seikō suru to shinjiteimasu

I believe this strategy will succeed.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 作戦 - noun meaning "strategy" or "plan of action"
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 成功する - verb meaning "to succeed" or "to be successful"
• と - grammatical particle indicating a direct quotation
• 信じています - compound verb meaning "to believe" or "to have faith"

この作業は無意味だと思います。

Kono sagyou wa muimi da to omoimasu

I think this work is meaningless.

I think this work makes no sense.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 作業 - Noun that means "work" or "task"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 無意味 - Adjective meaning "nonsense" or "useless"
• だ - auxiliary verb indicating the affirmative present form
• と - particle that indicates the direct quotation of an opinion or thought
• 思います - verb that means "to think" or "to believe" in a polite way

この判断は妥当だと思います。

Kono handan wa datō da to omoimasu

I think this decision is fair.

I think this decision is reasonable.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 判断 - noun meaning "judgment" or "decision"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 妥当 - adjective meaning "appropriate" or "reasonable"
• だ - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and the affirmative form
• と - particle that indicates the direct quotation of an opinion or thought
• 思います - verb that means "to think" or "believe" and indicates the polite and polite form

この台はとても重いです。

Kono dai wa totemo omoi desu

This platform is very heavy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 台 - noun meaning "table" or "platform"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 重い - adjective meaning "heavy"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この句はとても美しいです。

Kono ku wa totemo utsukushii desu

This sentence is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 句 - noun meaning "verse" or "short poem"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この商品の産地はどこですか？

Kono shouhin no sandi wa doko desu ka?

What is the place of origin of this product?

Where is the production area for this product?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 商品 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 産地 - noun meaning "place of production" or "origin"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• どこ - interrogative pronoun meaning "where"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

この問題はとても易しいです。

Kono mondai wa totemo yasashii desu

This problem is very easy.

This problem is very easy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 易しい - adjective meaning "easy"
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

この問題はとても容易いです。

Kono mondai wa totemo yasashii desu

This question is very easy.

This problem is very easy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "this problem"
• とても - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 容易い - adjective meaning "easy" or "simple"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この器はとても美しいです。

Kono utsuwa wa totemo utsukushii desu

This bowl is very beautiful.

This ship is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 器 - noun meaning "utensil", "container" or "vessel"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "this container"
• とても - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "pretty", "beautiful" or "elegant"
• です - verb ser/estar in the polite and formal form