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:

専制主義は民主主義とは対極にある。

Senshoku shugi wa minshu shugi to wa taikyoku ni aru

Despotism is opposite to democracy.

The tube is the opposite of democracy.

• 専制主義 - political system in which power is exercised in an absolute way by a single person or group
• 民主主義 - political system in which power is exercised by the people, through elections and popular participation
• 対極 - opposite, contrary
• にある - to be in, to be present in

封鎖された地域に入ることは禁止されています。

Fūsa sareta chiiki ni hairu koto wa kinshi sarete imasu

Entering a blocked area is prohibited.

It is forbidden to enter the lock.

• 封鎖された - blocked
• 地域 - area
• に - particle indicating destination or location
• 入る - login
• ことは - action of doing something
• 禁止されています - is forbidden

尊重は相手を大切にすることです。

Sonzou wa aite wo taisetsu ni suru koto desu

Respect is to treat the other with importance.

Respect is to value the other person.

• 尊重 - Respect
• は - Topic particle
• 相手 - another person, partner
• を - direct object particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• に - target particle
• する - to do, to accomplish
• こと - Thing, fact
• です - verb "to be"

小銭を貯めることは大切です。

Kozene wo tameru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to save exchanged.

It is important to store coins.

• 小銭 - small coins
• を - object particle
• 貯める - save, keep
• こと - abstract noun, in this case, "the act of"
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

少しでも多くの人々が幸せになることを願っています。

Sukoshi demo ooku no hitobito ga shiawase ni naru koto wo negatteimasu

I hope even if a little

I hope as many people as possible to be happy.

• 少し (sukoshi) - a little
• でも (demo) - but nevertheless
• 多く (ooku) - many
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 人々 (hitobito) - people
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 幸せ (shiawase) - happiness
• に (ni) - target particle
• なる (naru) - become
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 願っています (negatteimasu) - desire, hope

尚更努力しようと思います。

Shoukou doryoku shiyou to omoimasu

I will try even harder.

I will try to work harder.

• 尚更 - even more
• 努力 - effort
• しよう - tentar/fazer
• と - connective that indicates that the previous sentence is the reason for the next
• 思います - pensar/considerar

巣があるところには鳥が集まる。

Suo ga aru tokoro ni wa tori ga atsumaru

where there is a nest

Birds gather where the nest is.

• 巣 - nest
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist
• ところ - place
• には - focus particle
• 鳥 - Bird
• が - subject particle
• 集まる - meet

帯を締めると姿勢が良くなる。

Obi wo shimeru to shisei ga yoku naru

When the OBI is tightened, posture improves.

• 帯 (obi) - Japanese belt
• を (wo) - object particle
• 締める (shimeru) - tighten, tie
• と (to) - connecting particle
• 姿勢 (shisei) - posture, body position
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 良く (yoku) - well, good
• なる (naru) - become, stay

幽霊が出るところには行きたくないです。

Yūrei ga deru tokoro ni wa ikitakunai desu

I don't want to go where the ghosts come out.

• 幽霊 - Ghost
• が - subject particle
• 出る - Appear
• ところ - place
• には - focus particle
• 行きたくない - not wanting to go
• です - Sentence-ending particle

座ることは大切なことです。

Suwaru koto wa taisetsu na koto desu

Sitting is an important thing.

Sitting is important.

• 座る - It means "to sit" in Japanese.
• こと - It is a noun that means "thing" or "fact".
• は - is a grammatical particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• 大切 - It is an adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.