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:

泌み泌みとした雰囲気が漂っている。

Himi himi to shita fun'iki ga tadayotte iru

There is a secretly secreted atmosphere.

• 泌み泌みとした - a phrase that indicates a feeling or atmosphere of melancholy or subtle and persistent sadness.
• 雰囲気 - atmosphere, environment, climate.
• 漂っている - floating, hovering, permeating.

洋風のレストランでディナーを楽しんだ。

Yoofuu no resutoran de dinnaa wo tanoshinda

I enjoyed dinner at a western restaurant.

• 洋風 - Western Style
• の - Possession particle
• レストラン - restaurant
• で - Location particle
• ディナー - dinner
• を - direct object particle
• 楽しんだ - enjoyed

注目されることは素晴らしいことです。

Chūmoku sareru koto wa subarashī koto desu

Being noticed is a wonderful thing.

It's great to be noticed.

• 注目されること - "being noticed" or "being recognized"
• は - Topic particle
• 素晴らしいこと - "wonderful thing" or "something excellent"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

泥棒は悪いことです。

Dorobou wa warui koto desu

Stealing is a bad thing.

A thief is bad.

• 泥棒 - means "thief" in Japanese.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "thief".
• 悪い - adjective meaning "bad".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

海運は国際貿易にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Kaiun wa kokusai bōeki ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Maritime transport plays an important role in international trade.

The transport of water plays an important role in international trade.

• 海運 (kaigun) - Maritime transport
• 国際貿易 (kokusai boueki) - international trade
• にとって (ni totte) - for
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
• を果たしています (o hatashite imasu) - performs

測ることが大切です。

Hakaru koto ga taisetsu desu

Measuring is important.

It is important to measure.

• 測る - measure, evaluate
• こと - thing, subject
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

溜まることは避けたい。

Tamaru koto wa saketai

I want to avoid accumulating.

I want to avoid accumulating.

• 溜まる - accumulate
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 避けたい - want to avoid

湿度が高いと不快です。

Shitsudo ga takai to fukai desu

It is unpleasant if the humidity is high.

• 湿度 - humidity
• が - subject particle
• 高い - high
• と - Comparison particle
• 不快 - uncomfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

滞納すると信用が落ちます。

Taino suru to shin'you ga ochimasu

If you are defaulting, you will lose your credit.

• 滞納する - delay payment
• と - particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship
• 信用 - credit, trust
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 落ちます - decrease, fall

火山はとても危険です。

Kazan wa totemo kiken desu

The volcano is very dangerous.

• 火山 (kazan) - volcano
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 危険 (kiken) - dangerous
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present