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:

直面することは恐れる必要はありません。

Chokumen suru koto wa osoreru hitsuyō wa arimasen

You don't have to be afraid to face it.

• 直面する - face
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 恐れる - fear
• 必要 - necessary
• は - Topic particle
• ありません - negation of "being"

直感に従って行動することが大切です。

Chokkan ni shitagatte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act on intuition.

• 直感 (chokkan) - intuition
• に従って (ni shitagatte) - seguindo
• 行動する (koudou suru) - Act
• ことが (koto ga) - is important
• 大切です (taisetsu desu) - to be valuable

相手を尊重することが大切です。

Sōteki o sonchō suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to respect your opponent.

It is important to respect the other person.

• 相手 - (the other) person
• を - object particle
• 尊重する - to respect
• こと - verb noun
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

着々と目標に近づいている。

Chakuchaku to mokuhyou ni chikazuite iru

I am constantly progressing toward my goal.

It is constantly approaching the goal.

• 着々と - Adverb that means "gradually" or "constantly"
• 目標 - Noun that means "objective" or "goal"
• に - particle that indicates the direction or target of the action
• 近づいている - verb that means "getting closer" or "getting close"

眺めることは私の好きな趣味です。

Nagameru koto wa watashi no sukina shumi desu

Observing is one of my favorite hobbies.

Watching is my favorite hobby.

• 眺めること - means "to observe" or "to contemplate", it is a verb in the form of a noun.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "眺めること" (observe/contemplate).
• 私の - 私 means "I" and "の" is a grammatical particle that indicates possession, so "私の" means "mine".
• 好きな - 好き means "to like" and "な" is a grammatical particle that indicates an adjective, so "好きな" means "tasty/pleasant".
• 趣味 - means "hobby" or "pastime", it is a noun.
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

真相を知ることは重要です。

Shinsou wo shiru koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to know the truth.

• 真相 - means "truth" or "reality".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 知る - verb meaning "to know" or "to be acquainted with."
• こと - noun that indicates action or event.
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important" or "crucial".
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of speaking.

瞳を見つめると心が落ち着く。

Hitomi wo mitsumeru to kokoro ga ochitsuku

When I look in the eyes

Looking into my eyes, my heart calms down.

• 瞳 - means "pupil" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 見つめる - a verb that means "to stare" in Japanese.
• と - connecting particle in Japanese.
• 心 - means "heart" or "mind" in Japanese.
• が - subject particle in Japanese.
• 落ち着く - a verb that means "to calm down" or "to be serene" in Japanese.

瞑ることで心を落ち着かせることができます。

Meiru koto de kokoro wo ochitsukaseru koto ga dekimasu

You can calm your heart closing.

• 瞑る (hirou) - close your eyes
• ことで (koto de) - through
• 心 (kokoro) - heart, mind
• を (wo) - object particle
• 落ち着かせる (ochitsukaseru) - calm down
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - it is possible to do

睡眠は健康にとって非常に重要です。

Suimin wa kenkou ni totte hijou ni juuyou desu

Sleep is very important for your health.

• 睡眠 (suimin) - I am, I am deep, to sleep
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 健康 (kenkou) - health, state of health
• にとって (ni totte) - for, in relation to
• 非常に (hijou ni) - extremely, very
• 重要 (juuyou) - important, essential
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

石油はエネルギー源として重要です。

Sekiyu wa enerugī gen to shite jūyō desu

Oil is important as a source of energy.

• 石油 (sekiyu) - oil
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• エネルギー (enerugii) - energy
• 源 (gen) - Source
• として (toshite) - how
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present