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:

学生は勉強することが大切です。

Gakusei wa benkyou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important for students to study.

It is important for students to study.

• 学生 - student
• は - Topic particle
• 勉強する - studying
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar

宗教は人々の信仰と精神的な支えです。

Shūkyō wa hitobito no shin'kō to seishinteki na sasaedeshi

Religion is the religion and mental support of the people.

• 宗教 - Religion
• は - Topic particle
• 人々 - people
• の - Possession particle
• 信仰 - Faith
• と - connecting particle
• 精神的な - spiritual
• 支え - support
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

実を食べると元気になる。

Jitsu wo taberu to genki ni naru

Eating fruits makes you feel energetic.

Eating fruits makes you feel better.

• 実 - means "fruit" or "nut" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 食べる - verb "to eat" in Japanese.
• と - connecting particle in Japanese.
• 元気 - means "energy" or "vitality" in Japanese.
• に - destination particle in Japanese.
• なる - verb "to become" in Japanese.

実行することが大切です。

Jikkou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to perform.

• 実行する - run
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be

実感を持って行動することが大切です。

Jikkan wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with the feeling of reality.

It is important to act with a real feeling.

• 実感 - real sensation, personal experience
• を - object particle
• 持って - the verb "to have/possess" in gerund
• 行動する - verb "to act/to perform" in the infinitive
• こと - abstract noun, indication of action
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense

客観的に物事を見ることが大切です。

Kankyanteki ni monogoto wo miru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to see things objectively.

It is important to see things objectively.

• 客観的に - objectively
• 物事 - things, subjects
• を - direct object particle
• 見る - see, observe
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb ser/estar in the formal present tense

家計を立てることは大切です。

Kakei wo tateru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to make a household budget.

It is important to make a family.

• 家計 - Household finances
• を - Direct object particle
• 立てる - Establish, create
• こと - Abstract noun
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - polite way of being

家畜は農業にとって重要な存在です。

Kachiku wa nōgyō ni totte jūyōna sonzai desu

Cattle is an important thing for agriculture.

• 家畜 - farm animals
• は - Topic particle
• 農業 - agriculture
• にとって - for
• 重要な - important
• 存在 - existence
• です - is

寝る前に床を掃除することが大切です。

Neru mae ni yuka wo souji suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to clean the floor before bed.

It is important to clean the floor before going to bed.

• 寝る前に - before bed
• 床を - the ground
• 掃除する - Clean
• ことが - is important
• 大切です - is essential

対等な関係を築くことが大切です。

Taitou na kankei wo kizuku koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to build a relationship of equality.

It is important to build equal relationships.

• 対等な - means "equal" or "equivalent".
• 関係 - means "relation" or "connection".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 築く - means "to build" or "to establish".
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.