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:

問い合わせることは大切です。

Toiawaseru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to ask questions and queries.

It is important to contact us.

• 問い合わせる - verb meaning "to ask a question" or "to make a query"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "subject"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "ask a question" or "make a query"
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - linking verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing yourself in Japanese

問題は解決策を見つけることです。

Mondai wa kaiketsusaku o mitsukeru koto desu

The problem is finding a solution.

• 問題 (mondai) - problem
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 解決策 (kaiketsusaku) - solution
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見つける (mitsukeru) - find
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

喋ることが好きです。

Shaberu koto ga suki desu

I like to speak.

I like to talk.

• 喋る (shaberu) - verb meaning "to speak"
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

四つの葉があるクローバーは幸運をもたらすと言われています。

Yottsu no ha ga aru kurōbā wa kōun o motarasu to iwarete imasu

Clover with four leaves is said to bring good luck.

• 四つの葉があるクローバー - a four-leaf clover
• は - Topic particle
• 幸運をもたらす - bring luck
• と - Quote particle
• 言われています - it is said

国連は世界平和と安全を促進するための重要な組織です。

Kokuren wa sekai heiwa to anzen o sokushin suru tame no juuyou na soshiki desu

The United Nations is an important organization for promoting world peace and security.

• 国連 (Kokuren) - 国際連合 (こくさいれんごう)
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 世界 (sekai) - world
• 平和 (heiwa) - peace
• と (to) - grammatical particle that connects words or phrases with the same meaning
• 安全 (anzen) - security
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 促進する (sokushin suru) - promote, encourage
• ための (tame no) - expression indicating the purpose of something
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 組織 (soshiki) - organization
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

均衡を保つことが大切です。

Kinkou wo tamotsu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to maintain balance.

• 均衡 (kinkou) - balance
• を (wo) - object particle
• 保つ (tamotsu) - keep
• こと (koto) - Nominalizer noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

垢を落とす。

Aké o otosu

Clean the dirt.

Drain the dirt.

• 垢 - dirt, impurity
• を - object particle
• 落とす - remove, clean

報道は真実を伝えることが重要です。

Houdou wa shinjitsu wo tsutaeru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to convey the truth in the press.

• 報道 - report, news
• は - Topic particle
• 真実 - truth
• を - direct object particle
• 伝える - Transmit, communicate
• こと - action noun
• が - subject particle
• 重要 - important
• です - verb to be in the polite form

塵も積もれば山となる。

Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru

Even Dust

If the dust is stacked, it will be a mountain.

• 塵 (chiri) - dust
• も (mo) - also
• 積もれば (tsumoreba) - to accumulate
• 山 (yama) - Mountain
• と (to) - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• なる (naru) - become

増加する人口が社会問題となっている。

Zouka suru jinkou ga shakai mondai to natte iru

Population increase is becoming a social problem.

The growing population has become a social problem.

• 増加する - increasing
• 人口 - population
• が - (subject particle)
• 社会問題 - social problem
• と - (connection particle)
• なっている - is becoming