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:

拭くことは大切な清潔の習慣です。

Fuku koto wa taisetsu na seiketsu no shūkan desu

Cleaning is an important hygiene habit.

Cleanliness is an important clean habit.

• 拭くこと - action of cleaning or wiping something
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 大切な - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• 清潔 - noun meaning "cleanliness" or "hygiene"
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 習慣 - noun meaning "habit" or "custom"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

指揮をとる人はリーダーシップが必要です。

Shiki wo toru hito wa riidaashippu ga hitsuyou desu

The person who takes command needs leadership.

• 指揮をとる人 - person who leads
• は - Topic particle
• リーダーシップ - leadership
• が - subject particle
• 必要です - necessary

掃除をするのは大切なことです。

Sōji o suru no wa taisetsu na koto desu

Cleaning is an important thing.

Cleaning is important.

• 掃除 - cleaning
• をする - make
• のは - is
• 大切 - important
• な - (particle that indicates adjective)
• こと - thing
• です - is

接近すると危険です。

Sekkin suru to kiken desu

It's dangerous to approach.

It's dangerous to get close.

• 接近すると - to approach
• 危険 - danger
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

提供することは喜ばしいことです。

Teikyō suru koto wa yorokobashii koto desu

It is gratifying to offer something.

Providing is a pleasure.

• 提供すること - Provide something
• は - Topic particle
• 喜ばしい - Pleasant, enjoyable
• こと - Thing, fact
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

揉めることは避けたいです。

Momeru koto wa saketai desu

I want to avoid conflicts.

I want to avoid rubbing.

• 揉める - verb that means "to fight", "to argue", "to have conflicts"
• こと - noun meaning "thing", "fact"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "things that"
• 避ける - verb that means "to avoid", "to prevent", "to flee from"
• たい - suffix that indicates desire, in this case, "to want"
• です - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"

提示は大切なことです。

Teiji wa taisetsu na koto desu

The presentation is important.

• 提示 (teiji) - means "hint" or "suggestion" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese
• な (na) - Japanese grammatical particle used to modify adjectives
• こと (koto) - means "thing" or "subject" in Japanese
• です (desu) - Japanese verb to be, used to indicate affirmation or politeness

摘んで食べると美味しいです。

Tsumande taberu to oishii desu

It is delicious when harvested and eaten.

• 摘んで - Means "to collect" or "to harvest" in Japanese.
• 食べる - It means "eat" in Japanese.
• と - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship, in this case, "when."
• 美味しい - It means "delicious" or "tasty" in Japanese.
• です - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a formal declaration, in this case, "it is"

損なうことは避けたい。

Sonnau koto wa saketai

I want to avoid causing harm.

I want to avoid losing.

• 損なう - means "to harm" or "to damage."
• こと - It is a noun that means "thing" or "fact".
• は - It is a particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that what follows is the main subject.
• 避けたい - it's a verb that means "to want to avoid".

操作を覚えるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Sōsa o oboeru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

It may take some time to learn the operation.

• 操作 (sousa) - action, operation
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 覚える (oboeru) - remember, memorize
• のに (noni) - conjunction indicating a condition or reason
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかる (kakaru) - take time, delay
• こと (koto) - abstract noun, in this case "fact"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense