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:

本質を見極めることが大切です。

Honshitsu wo mikiwameru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to discern the essence of things.

It is important to determine the essence.

• 本質 - means "essence" in Japanese.
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 見極める - verb meaning "to discern" or "to distinguish" in Japanese.
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 大切 - adjective meaning "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です - verb that indicates the current state of the sentence, equivalent to the verb "ser" in Portuguese.

来場者はチケットを持っている必要があります。

Raibashya wa chiketto o motte iru hitsuyō ga arimasu

Event attendees must have a ticket.

Visitors must have a ticket.

• 来場者 - person who comes to the place
• は - Topic particle
• チケット - Ticket
• を - direct object particle
• 持っている - I'm sorry, but it seems like the text you provided is incomplete. Please provide a complete string for translation.
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• あります - exists

校庭で友達と遊ぶのが好きです。

Kōtei de tomodachi to asobu no ga suki desu

I like to play with my friends in the school courtyard.

I like to play with friends in the school courtyard.

• 校庭 (koutei) - schoolyard
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• と (to) - particle indicating company
• 遊ぶ (asobu) - play/play/have fun
• のが (noga) - particle indicating that the phrase is an expression of preference
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

桟橋から海を眺めるのはとても素晴らしいです。

Sambah de umi wo nagameru no wa totemo subarashii desu

It is wonderful to look at the sea from the pier.

It's great to look at the sea from the pier.

• 桟橋 (sambashi) - a pier, a pier
• から (kara) - from, starting at
• 海 (umi) - the sea
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 眺める (nagameru) - look, contemplate
• の (no) - particle of possession or explanation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very, extremely
• 素晴らしい (subarashii) - Wonderful, excellent
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

楽しいことが好きです。

Tanoshii koto ga suki desu

I like fun things.

• 楽しい - Fun, pleasant
• こと - thing, subject
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like, appreciate
• です - verb to be in the polite form

櫛で髪をとかす

Kushi de kami wo tokasu

Put your hair with a comb

• 櫛 - an object used to comb hair
• で - a particle that indicates the means or tool used to perform an action
• 髪 - hair
• を - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action
• とかす - a verb that means "to comb"

止まることはできない。

Tomaru koto wa dekinai

I can not stop.

It cannot be stopped.

• 止まる - stop
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• できない - cannot be done

正しく行動することが大切です。

Tadashiku koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act correctly.

• 正しく - adverb meaning "correctly"
• 行動する - verb that means "to act, to behave"
• こと - noun that means "thing, fact"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important, valuable"
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of speech

止めることはできない。

Tomeru koto wa dekinai

I can not stop.

I can not stop.

• 止める - verb "to stop"
• こと - noun "thing"
• は - Topic particle
• できない - verb "to be unable to"

殊に大切なことは家族との絆です。

Shu ni taisetsu na koto wa kazoku to no kizuna desu

The most important thing is the bond with the family.

• 殊に - Especially
• 大切な - important
• ことは - the thing is
• 家族 - family
• との - with
• 絆 - ties
• です - is