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:

災害が起こる前に備えをすることが大切です。

Saigai ga okoru mae ni sonae o suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to prepare before a disaster occurs.

It is important to be prepared before a disaster occurs.

• 災害 - Disaster
• が - Subject particle
• 起こる - Occur
• 前に - before
• 備えをすること - Prepare yourself
• が - Subject particle
• 大切です - is important

無断で入ることは禁止されています。

Mudan de hairu koto wa kinshi sareteimasu

Entering without permission is prohibited.

It is forbidden to enter without permission.

• 無断で - Without permission
• 入ること - Prohibited
• は - Topic particle
• 禁止されています - is forbidden

無料はとても魅力的な言葉です。

Muryou wa totemo miryokuteki na kotoba desu

Free is a very attractive word.

Free is a very attractive word.

• 無料 - means "free" in Japanese
• は - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - means "a lot" in Japanese
• 魅力的 - means "attractive" or "seductive" in Japanese
• な - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the adjective
• 言葉 - means "word" in Japanese
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese

無難な選択をすることが大切です。

Bunan na sentaku wo suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to make safe choices.

It is important to make a safe choice.

• 無難な - means "safe" or "risk-free".
• 選択をする - means "to make a choice".
• ことが - it is a particle that indicates that the sentence is talking about something.
• 大切です - It means "it is important".

煎ったコーヒーがとても香ばしいです。

Senatta kōhī ga totemo kōbashiidesu

The roasted coffee has a very pleasant aroma.

Roasted coffee is very fragrant.

• 煎った - The verb "seneru", which means "to toast"
• コーヒー - Noun "koohii," which means "coffee."
• が - particle "ga", which indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb "totemo", which means "very"
• 香ばしい - Adjective "kabashii", which means "fragrant, aromatic".
• です - verb "desu", which indicates the polite way of saying something

煌々と輝く星空が美しいです。

Koukou to kagayaku hoshizora ga utsukushii desu

The bright starry sky is beautiful.

The starry and bright sky is beautiful.

• 煌々と - shiny, sparkling
• 輝く - shine, glitter
• 星空 - Starlit sky
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - pretty, beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

焦ると失敗する。

Apressar

It leads to failure

If you are impatient, you will fail.

• 焦る - verb meaning "to be anxious" or "to be impatient"
• と - particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship
• 失敗する - verb meaning "to fail" or "to fail"

片付けることは大切です。

Katazukeru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to fix things.

It is important to clean.

• 片付けること - action of organizing and tidying up
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "片付けること"
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating that the sentence is an assertion

燃やすことは危険です。

Moyasu koto wa kiken desu

Burning is dangerous.

The burning is dangerous.

• 燃やす - "burn"
• こと - noun "thing"
• は - Topic particle
• 危険 - Adjective "dangerous"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

熱意を持って取り組むことが成功の鍵です。

Netsui wo motte torikumu koto ga seikou no kagi desu

Working with enthusiasm is the key to success.

• 熱意 (netsui) - enthusiasm, passion
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持って (motte) - having, possessing
• 取り組む (torikumu) - address, deal with
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 成功 (seikou) - success
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 鍵 (kagi) - key
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense