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:

この本はとても気に入りました。

Kono hon wa totemo ki ni irimashita

I really liked this book.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this book"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 気に入りました - verb meaning "I liked it very much", composed of the following elements -
  • 気 - noun meaning "feeling", "emotion" or "will"
  • に - particle indicating an action towards something or someone, in this case, "like"
  • 入りました - verb meaning "to enter", but in this context it is used as an idiomatic expression indicating "to like very much"

この産物はとても高品質です。

Kono sanbutsu wa totemo kouhinshitsu desu

This product is of high quality.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 産物 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 高品質 - compound noun that means "high quality"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この花はとても良い香りが匂う。

Kono hana wa totemo yoi kaori ga niou

This flower has a very pleasant smell.

This flower smells very well.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 花 - noun meaning "flower"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "this flower"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 良い - adjective meaning "good"
• 香り - noun meaning "fragrance" or "smell"
• が - subject particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "the smell"
• 匂う - verb meaning "to smell"

この薬の反応はどうですか？

Kono kusuri no hannō wa dō desu ka?

How is the reaction of this medicine?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 薬 - noun meaning "remedy" or "medicine"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 反応 - noun meaning "reaction" or "response"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• どう - adverb meaning "how" or "in what way"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この資料はとても役に立ちます。

Kono shiryou wa totemo yaku ni tachimasu

This information is very useful.

This material is very useful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 資料 - noun meaning "material" or "document"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 役に立ちます - verb that means "to be useful" or "to serve a purpose"

この都道府県の知事はとても有能です。

Kono todōfuken no chiji wa totemo yūnō desu

The governor of this prefecture is very competent.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 都道府県 - term used in Japan to refer to the country's 47 prefectures
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 知事 - political position equivalent to governor of a province
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 有能 - adjective meaning "competent" or "capable"
• です - verb "to be" in the present, used to indicate an affirmation or a description

この機械の動きはとてもスムーズです。

Kono kikai no ugoki wa totemo sumūzu desu

The movement of this machine is very soft.

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one";
• 機械 - noun meaning "machine";
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English;
• 動き - noun meaning "movement";
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" in English;
• とても - adverb meaning "very";
• スムーズ - adjective meaning "smooth" or "without problems";
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative.

このアプリの機能はとても便利です。

Kono apuri no kinō wa totemo benri desu

The function of this app is very convenient.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• アプリ - The noun that means "application" is "aplicativo".
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 機能 - noun that means "function"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 便利 - adjective meaning "convenient" or "useful"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

このコートはとても厚いです。

Kono kōto wa totemo atsui desu

This coat is very thick.

This coat is very thick.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• コート - noun that means "coat"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 厚い - adjective that means "thick, coarse"
• です - linking verb that indicates the state or condition of the subject

このコースはとても難しいです。

Kono kōsu wa totemo muzukashii desu

This course is very difficult.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• コース - noun that means "course"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 難しい - adjective meaning "difficult"
• です - verb to be in the polite form