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:

短縮することで時間を節約できます。

Tanshuku suru koto de jikan wo setsuyaku dekimasu

You can save time by going down.

• 短縮する - shorten, reduce
• ことで - Through, by means of
• 時間 - time
• を - direct object particle
• 節約 - economy, savings
• できます - it can be done, it is possible

短期間で学ぶことができる

Tanki kan de manabu koto ga dekiru

You can learn in a short period of time

• 短期間 - Short period
• で - particle that indicates the means or the manner
• 学ぶ - learn
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できる - Be able to

砂糖を溶かすと甘くなります。

Satou wo tokasu to amaku narimasu

When you dissolve sugar

Dissolve the sugar to make it sweet.

• 砂糖 (satou) - sugar
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 溶かす (tokasu) - dissolve
• と (to) - particle indicating the consequence of the previous action
• 甘く (amaku) - gently
• なります (narimasu) - becomes

硬貨を落とした。

Kouka wo otoshita

I dropped a coin.

I dropped the coin.

• 硬貨 (kouka) - Coin
• を (wo) - object particle
• 落とした (otoshita) - fell, dropped

社会人としての責任を果たす。

Shakaijin to shite no sekinin wo hatasu

Take responsibility as a member of society.

• 社会人 - shakaijin - person of society
• として - toshite - as, in the capacity of
• の - Não Possessive particle
• 責任 - responsibility - responsibility
• を - wo - direct object particle
• 果たす - hatasu - fulfill, carry out

禁ずることは許されない。

Kin'zuru koto wa yurusarenai

Prohibited is prohibited.

Prohibition is not allowed.

• 禁ずる - forbid
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 許されない - not allowed

禁じることは許されない。

Kinjiru koto wa yurusarenai

Prohibited is prohibited.

Prohibition is not allowed.

• 禁じる - forbid
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 許されない - not allowed

私の女房はとても美しいです。

Watashi no nyoubou wa totemo utsukushii desu

My wife is very beautiful.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 女房 - noun "wife"
• は - topic particle "は"
• とても - adverb "very"
• 美しい - adjective "beautiful"
• です - verb "to be" (polite form)

私の秘書はとても優秀です。

Watashi no hisho wa totemo yuushu desu

My secretary is very good.

• 私 - me in Japanese
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 秘書 - "secretary" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 優秀 - "excellent" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese

私の短所は怒りっぽいことです。

Watashi no tansho wa okorippoi koto desu

My weakness lies in anger.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 短所 - noun that means "defect" or "weakness"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• 怒りっぽい - adjective that means "irritable" or "prone to anger"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form