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:

彼女のドレスは真っ赤でとても美しかった。

Kanojo no doresu wa makka de totemo utsukushikatta

Her dress was living red and very beautiful.

His dress was bright and very beautiful red.

• 彼女の - "Kanojo no" means "of the girlfriend."
• ドレス - "Doresu" means "dress"
• は - "Wa" is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 真っ赤 - "Makka" means "bright red".
• で - "De" is a particle that indicates the means or manner of something.
• とても - "totemo" means "very"
• 美しかった - "Utsukushikatta" means "it was beautiful."

「彼女との約束は無しです。」

Kanojo to no yakusoku wa nashi desu

There is no promise to her.

• 彼女との約束 - means "commitment to girlfriend"
• は - Topic particle
• 無し - means "there is no"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

待ち合わせ場所はどこですか？

Machiawase basho wa doko desu ka?

Where is the meeting point?

Where is the meeting place?

• 待ち合わせ場所 - meeting point
• は - Topic particle
• どこ - "onde"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - interrogative particle

後退することは時に勝利することです。

Kōtai suru koto wa toki ni shōri suru koto desu

Retiring can sometimes be a win.

• 後退すること - go back
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 時に - sometimes
• 勝利すること - to win
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

従って行動することが大切です。

Juntatte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to act accordingly.

So it's important to act.

• 従って - it means "consequently" or "according to".
• 行動する - means "to act" or "to behave".
• こと - it is a noun that indicates action or event.
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar".

心得を持って行動することが大切です。

Kokoroe wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with knowledge and experience.

It is important to act with knowledge.

• 心得 - knowledge, understanding
• を - direct object particle
• 持って - verb "to have, to own" in the gerund
• 行動 - action, behavior
• する - Verb "to do" in the present
• こと - abstract noun, in this case, "the fact of"
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb "to be" in the present, formal

必需品は旅行に行くときに必要です。

Hitsuyouhin wa ryokou ni iku toki ni hitsuyou desu

Essential items are needed when traveling.

Necessary items are needed when traveling.

• 必需品 - means "essential items" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 旅行 - means "journey" in Japanese
• に - destination particle in Japanese
• 行く - means "to go" in Japanese
• ときに - means "when" in Japanese
• 必要 - means "necessary" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

忘れることは人間の本性です。

Wasureru koto wa ningen no honshou desu

Forgetting is human nature.

• 忘れること - forget
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 本性 - essential nature
• です - verb to be in the polite form

忠告を聞くことは大切です。

Chuukoku wo kiku koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to hear advice.

It is important to hear the advice.

• 忠告 - advice
• を - object particle
• 聞く - to hear
• こと - action noun
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

怒りを抑えることが大切です。

Okori wo osaeru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to control anger.

It is important to suppress anger.

• 怒りを抑える - It means "control anger".
• ことが - It is a particle that indicates that the previous phrase is a noun.
• 大切 - means "important".
• です - it is a particle that indicates that the sentence is in the present and is formal.