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:

疑問を持つことは大切です。

Gimon wo motsu koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to have doubts.

It is important to have a question.

• 疑問 (gimon) - It means "doubt" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持つ (motsu) - verb that means "have" or "possess" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - Abstract noun in Japanese, which can be translated as "thing" or "fact"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective that means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a formal statement

異見を尊重することは重要です。

Iken wo sonchou suru koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to respect different opinions.

It is important to respect discrimination.

• 異見 (imiken) - different opinions
• を (wo) - object particle
• 尊重する (sonchou suru) - to respect
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

略語は日本語で「りゃくご」と言います。

Ryakugo wa nihongo de "ryakugo" to iimasu

The abbreviation is called "Ryakugo" in Japanese.

• 略語 - Word in Japanese that means "abbreviation".
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese word that means "Japanese language"
• で - particle that indicates the means or tool used to do something
• 「りゃくご」 - Word in Japanese that means "abbreviation" (written in katakana, one of the Japanese writing systems)
• と - particle that indicates the direct quote of something said or written
• 言います - Japanese verb meaning "to say"

痒いところに手が届く

Kayui tokoro ni te ga todoku

Can be reached in places with itching

• 痒い (kayui) - itching, pruritus
• ところ (tokoro) - place, point
• に (ni) - target particle
• 手 (te) - hand
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 届く (todoku) - reach, arrive

発見した宝物はとても貴重です。

Hakken shita takaramono wa totemo kichō desu

The discovered treasure is very valuable.

• 発見した - "Discover"
• 宝物 - noun "treasure"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 貴重 - Adjective "valuable"
• です - verb "to be" (polite form)

痛めることは避けたいです。

Itameru koto wa saketai desu

I want to avoid hurting.

• 痛める - verb meaning "to hurt" or "to wound"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 避ける - verb that means "avoid" or "prevent"
• たい - suffix that indicates desire or will
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

皮を剥くと中身が出てくる。

Kawa wo muku to nakami ga dete kuru

When the skin peels off

When the skin is peeled, the contents come out.

• 皮 - means "shell" or "skin".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 剥く - verb meaning "to peel" or "to shell".
• と - particle that indicates the connection between two things.
• 中身 - It means "content" or "interior."
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 出てくる - verb that means "to come out" or "to appear."

直ちに行動することが重要です。

Chokkani kōdō suru koto ga jūyō desu

It is important to act immediately.

• 直ちに - immediately
• 行動する - act, take action
• こと - abstract noun
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

直ぐに行動することが大切です。

Sugu ni koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to act quickly.

It is important to act immediately.

• 直ぐに - immediately
• 行動する - Act
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

目覚しをセットしました。

Mezamashi wo setto shimashita

I set the alarm clock.

I set the alarm.

• 目覚し (mezamashi) - Alarm clock
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• セット (setto) - adjust, configure
• しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"