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:

思い出すことができますか？

Omoi dasu koto ga dekimasu ka?

Can you remember?

• 思い出す - verb meaning "to remember" or "to recall"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"
• か - Particle that indicates a question

思い付くことができた。

Omoitsuku koto ga dekita

I managed to think about it.

I could make this up.

• 思い付く - verb that means "to remember something", "to have an idea", "to occur to someone".
• こと - noun that means "thing", "fact", "event"
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• できた - "be able to do something", "manage to accomplish something", in the past

怠けると時間が無駄になる。

Namakeru to jikan ga muda ni naru

If you are lazy, your time will be wasted.

• 怠ける - verb that means "to be lazy"
• と - a particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship, in this case, "if"
• 時間 - noun meaning "time"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "time"
• 無駄 - noun that means "unnecessary," "useless"
• に - particle that indicates the state or condition of something, in this case, "in"
• なる - verb meaning "to become"
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

怠ると後悔する。

Tamaru to koukai suru

If you procrastinate

I apologize for neglecting.

• 怠る - neglect, procrastinate
• と - particle that indicates consequence
• 後悔する - to regret

恐れることは何もない。

Osoreru koto wa nanimo nai

There is nothing to fear.

There is no fear.

• 恐れる (osoreru) - verb meaning "to fear"
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 何も (nanimo) - adverb meaning "nothing"
• ない (nai) - suffix indicating negation

恥じることはない。

Hajiru koto wa nai

There is no shame in embarrassing.

Do not be shy.

• 恥じる - Verb meaning to feel ashamed, embarrassed or humiliated.
• こと - Noun meaning thing, fact or subject.
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• ない - Suffix indicating negation, i.e. "there is not" or "there is not".

恩恵を受けることは幸運なことです。

Onkei wo ukeru koto wa kouun na koto desu

Receiving blessings is a luck.

It is the luck to benefit.

• 恩恵 - benefit, grace
• を - direct object particle
• 受ける - Receive, accept
• こと - verb noun
• は - Topic particle
• 幸運 - luck, happiness
• な - adjective indicating state
• こと - verb noun
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

悠々とした時間が流れる。

Yuuyuu to shita jikan ga nagareru

A smooth time flows.

• 悠々とした - It means "serene" or "calm".
• 時間 - It means "time".
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 流れる - It means "flow" or "pass".

悩むことは人間らしいことだ。

Nayamu koto wa ningen rashii koto da

Worrying is human.

Working is human.

• 悩む - It means "to worry" or "to be distressed" in Japanese.
• こと - it is a particle that indicates an action or event.
• は - is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "悩むこと".
• 人間 - "human being" in Japanese.
• らしい - it is a suffix that indicates a typical or expected characteristic of something or someone.
• こと - again the particle that indicates an action or event.
• だ - it is an auxiliary verb that indicates the present affirmative form.

意見が食い違うことはよくある。

Iken ga kuichigau koto wa yoku aru

Opinions are usually different.

• 意見 - (opinion)
• が - (subject particle)
• 食い違う - (disagree)
• こと - (thing)
• は - (topic particle)
• よく - (frequently)
• ある - (exist)