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:

取り締まりは社会の秩序を守るために必要なことです。

Tori shima ri wa shakai no chitsujo wo mamoru tame ni hitsuyou na koto desu

Building is necessary to protect the order of society.

• 取り締まり (torishimari) - action of supervising and punishing infractions or crimes
• は (wa) - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
• 社会 (shakai) - society
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 秩序 (chitsujo) - order, organization
• を (wo) - particle that marks the object of the sentence
• 守る (mamoru) - protect, preserve
• ために (tameni) - to, with the objective of
• 必要な (hitsuyou na) - necessary
• こと (koto) - thing, subject
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

口頭で伝えることが大切です。

Kōtō de tsutaeru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to communicate verbally.

It is important to convey verbally.

• 口頭で - orally
• 伝える - transmit
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

叫ぶことが大切です。

Sakebu koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to scream.

• 叫ぶ - verb that means "to shout"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of speech

各地で美しい景色を見ることができます。

Kakuchi de utsukushii keshiki wo miru koto ga dekimasu

You can see beautiful scenery in many places.

• 各地で - in every place
• 美しい - beautiful
• 景色 - landscape
• を - direct object particle
• 見る - To see
• ことができます - it's possible

各々の能力を最大限に活かすことが大切です。

Kakugaku no nouryoku wo saikougen ni ikasu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to maximize each individual's abilities.

It is important to make the most of each skill.

• 各々 (kaku kaku) - Each one, individually
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 能力 (nouryoku) - Skill, capacity
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 最大限 (saidagen) - to the maximum, at the maximum
• に (ni) - target particle
• 活かす (ikasu) - take advantage of, use
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

合理的な判断をすることが大切です。

Gōriteki na handan o suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to do rational judgments.

It is important to do a reasonable judgment.

• 合理的な - adjective meaning "rational" or "reasonable"
• 判断 - noun meaning "judgment" or "decision"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of speech

同時に行動することが大切です。

Dōji ni kōdō suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act simultaneously.

It is important to act at the same time.

• 同時に - at the same time
• 行動する - act, take action
• こと - abstract noun
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

含嗽をすると喉がスッキリします。

Gansou wo suru to nodo ga sukkiri shimasu

Gargling with goose leaves the throat refreshing.

If you gargle, your throat will be refreshing.

• 含嗽 - gargle
• をすると - when done
• 喉 - throat
• が - subject particle
• スッキリ - refreshing, clean
• します - makes

吹奏することは私の人生の喜びです。

Fuisō suru koto wa watashi no jinsei no yorokobi desu

Brassing is the joy of my life.

• 吹奏すること - playing a wind instrument
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 私 - I
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession
• 人生 - life
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession
• 喜び - joy, pleasure
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

味わうことが大切です。

Ajimiwau koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to taste.

It's important to taste.

• 味わう - Verb that means "to savor" or "to taste".
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence