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:

彼と同居することになった。

Kare to doukyo suru koto ni natta

I ended up living with him.

I decided to live with him.

• 彼 - Japanese pronoun meaning "he".
• と - Japanese particle that indicates a connection between two things or people.
• 同居する - Japanese verb that means "to live together."
• こと - Japanese noun that means "thing".
• に - Japanese particle that indicates a target or destination.
• なった - Japanese verb in the past tense meaning "became."

彼は慈善活動に多くの時間とお金を施しています。

Kare wa jizen katsudō ni ōku no jikan to okane o hodokoshite imasu

He devotes a lot of time and money to charity.

He spends a lot of time and money in charity activities.

• 彼 - Japanese pronoun meaning "he".
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 慈善活動 - Japanese word that means "charitable activities".
• に - Japanese particle that indicates the purpose or target of the action.
• 多く - Japanese adverb that means "very".
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship.
• 時間 - Japanese word that means "time".
• と - Japanese particle that indicates joint or simultaneous action.
• お金 - Japanese word that means "money".
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 施しています - Japanese verb that means "to donate" or "to contribute," conjugated in the present continuous.

彼は困難を遣り通すことができた。

Kare wa konnan o yaritōsu koto ga dekita

He managed to overcome the difficulties.

He was able to pass on difficulties.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 困難 - Japanese noun meaning "difficulty"
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 遣り通す - Japanese verb meaning "to overcome" or "to pass through"
• こと - Japanese noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• できた - Japanese verb meaning "to be able to" or "to achieve"

彼は私たちのプライバシーを侵すことはできない。

Kare wa watashitachi no puraibashī o okasu koto wa dekinai

He cannot invade our privacy.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 私たち - Japanese pronoun that means "we"
• の - Japanese particle that indicates possession
• プライバシー - プライバシー
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 侵す - Japanese verb meaning "to invade".
• こと - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence (repeated)
• できない - negative Japanese verb that means "to be unable to"

彼はレポートを略した。

Kare wa repōto o ryakushita

He summarized the report.

He shortened the report.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - Japanese topic particle
• レポート - 報告 (ほうこく)
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 略した - Japanese verb that means "to abbreviate" or "to omit" in the past

彼の態度はとても冷たいです。

Kare no taido wa totemo tsumetai desu

Your attitude is very cold.

• 彼の (kare no) - from him
• 態度 (taido) - attitude
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - "very"
• 冷たい (tsumetai) - cold
• です (desu) - polite way of "to be"

彼の考えを覆すことはできなかった。

Kare no kangae wo kutsugaesu koto wa dekinakatta

I couldn't change his opinion.

I couldn't overthrow your thoughts.

• 彼の (Kare no) - "From him"
• 考え (Kangae) - "Thought"
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 覆す (Kaosu) - "Knock down"
• こと (Koto) - Nominal suffix indicating action or event
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• できなかった (Dekinakatta) - "Não pude"

彼女がいなくなると寂しくなる。

Kanojo ga inaku naru to sabishiku naru

When my girlfriend disappears

I feel lonely when she is gone.

• 彼女 - "girlfriend"
• が - subject particle
• いなくなる - "disappear, vanish"
• と - condition particle
• 寂しく - "lonely"
• なる - "become"

彼女の人生は愛と幸福に富んでいる。

Kanojo no jinsei wa ai to kōfuku ni michinde iru

Your life is rich in love and happiness.

• 彼女 - her in Japanese
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 人生 - "Life" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 愛 - "愛" em japonês
• と - connection particle in Japanese
• 幸福 - 「幸せ」
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 富んでいる - "いっぱい" (ippai)

彼女はとても優しいです。

Kanojo wa totemo yasashii desu

She is very kind.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She (female)
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very
• 優しい (yasashii) - kind
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present