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:

増減することは自然の摂理です。

Zōgen suru koto wa shizen no setsuri desu

Increasing or decreasing is a natural action.

• 増減する - increase or decrease
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自然 - nature
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 摂理 - natural order, law of nature
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

変なことが起こった。

Hen na koto ga okotta

Algo estranho aconteceu.

A strange thing happened.

• 変 (hen) - means "strange" or "abnormal"
• な (na) - Particle indicating adjective
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates subject
• 起こった (okotta) - "occurred"

大気中には酸素や窒素などが含まれています。

Taiki chuu ni wa sanso ya chisso nado ga fukumarete imasu

The atmosphere contains oxygen and nitrogen.

• 大気中には - means "in the air" in Japanese
• 酸素 - means "oxygen" in Japanese
• や - is a linking particle in Japanese
• 窒素 - means "nitrogen" in Japanese
• など - means "and others" in Japanese
• が - is a subject particle in Japanese
• 含まれています - means "is included" in Japanese

失敗は成功のもと。

Shippai wa seikou no moto

Failure teaches success.

• 失敗 (shippai) - failure, failure
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 成功 (seikou) - success
• の (no) - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• もと (moto) - Base, foundation

奇数は偶数と対照的です。

Kisuu wa guusuu to taishouteki desu

Odd numbers contrast with even numbers.

• 奇数 - Odd number
• は - Topic particle
• 偶数 - even number
• と - Comparison particle
• 対照的 - contrasting, opposite
• です - verb ser/estar, indicating the polite form

奮闘することが成功への鍵です。

Funtou suru koto ga seikou e no kagi desu

Fighting is the key to success.

Struggle is the key to success.

• 奮闘する - strive, fight
• こと - Thing, fact
• が - subject particle
• 成功 - success
• へ - Direction particle
• の - Possession particle
• 鍵 - key
• です - verb to be, to stay

好き好きな人と一緒にいると幸せです。

Suki suki na hito to issho ni iru to shiawase desu

I'm happy to be with my favorite person.

• 好き好きな人と - With the person I like
• 一緒に - Together
• いる - Be
• と - With
• 幸せです - And happy

始まることは終わりがある。

Hajimaru koto wa owari ga aru

Everything that begins has an end.

The beginning is the end.

• 始まる - beginning
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 終わり - The end
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist

存続することが重要です。

Sonzoku suru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to continue existing.

It is important to survive.

• 存続する - It means "continue to exist" or "remain".
• こと - It is a particle that indicates that the previous word is a noun, in this case, "continue existing".
• が - it is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "continuing to exist" is the subject.
• 重要 - means "important".
• です - is a particle that indicates the end of the sentence and that it is in the present tense.

存在することが大切です。

Sonza suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to exist.

• 存在する - means "to exist" in Japanese.
• こと - It is a particle that indicates that the previous word is an abstract noun.
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.