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:

早速行動することが大切です。

Sassoku koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to act quickly.

It is important to act immediately.

• 早速 - means "immediately" or "right away."
• 行動 - means "action" or "behavior".
• する - is a verb that means "to do."
• こと - It is a particle that indicates that the previous verb is a noun, transforming "to do" into "to do something".
• が - It is a particle that indicates that the previous word is the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - It is a particle that indicates that the sentence is an affirmative and formal statement.

昆虫は自然の中でとても重要な役割を果たしています。

Kunchū wa shizen no naka de totemo jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Insects play a very important role in nature.

• 昆虫 (konchuu) - Insects
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中で (chuu de) - Inside of
• とても (totemo) - very
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割を果たしています (yakuwari wo hatashite imasu) - play a role

昨日はとても暑かったです。

Kinou wa totemo atsukatta desu

Yesterday was very hot.

It was very hot yesterday.

• 昨日 (kinou) - Yesterday
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very
• 暑かった (atsukatta) - It was hot
• です (desu) - polite way of being

是非とも参加したいです。

Shihitsu tomo sanka shitai desu

I definitely want to participate.

• 是非とも - expression that means "in any way," "at all costs"
• 参加 - noun that means "participation"
• したい - the form of the verb "suru" (to do) in the present tense and in the desire to do something means "to want to do"
• です - sentence-final particle that indicates respect and politeness

普段からありがとう。

Fudan kara arigatou

Thank you

Thank you usually.

• 普段 - It means "usually" or "routinely."
• から - It means "from" or "since".
• ありがとう - It means "thank you" or "grateful."

景気が良くなるといいですね。

Keiki ga yoku naru to ii desu ne

I hope the economy gets better.

• 景気 (keiki) - economy
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 良く (yoku) - well, good
• なる (naru) - become
• と (to) - conditional particle
• いい (ii) - good
• です (desu) - to be, to be (polite form)
• ね (ne) - confirmation particle

書き取ることは大切です。

Kakitoru koto wa taisetsu desu

Writing is important.

• 書き取る - verb that means "to write" or "to note"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case "to write" or "to note"
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - linking verb that indicates the present tense and the formality of the sentence

未だ成し遂げたことがない。

Mada nashi togeta koto ga nai

I still haven't been able to accomplish this.

I never got it.

• 未だ - not yet
• 成し遂げた - achieved
• ことが - Thing that
• ない - does not exist

本人は自分自身を知ることが大切だ。

Honjin wa jibun jishin o shiru koto ga taisetsu da

It is important for a person to know themselves.

It is important for a person to know themselves.

• 本人 - means "myself" or "the person herself/himself".
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 自分自身 - means "oneself" or "the person themselves."
• を - direct object particle, which indicates the object of the action.
• 知る - verb that means "to know" or "to be aware".
• こと - noun that indicates an action or a fact.
• が - subject particle, which indicates who performs the action.
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "valuable".
• だ - verb that indicates existence or identity.

本当にありがとう。

Hontou ni arigatou

Really thank you.

Thank you very much.

• 本当に - Adverb meaning "really" or "truly".
• ありがとう - expression of gratitude in Japanese, which means "thank you".