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:

私は日本語を教えることができます。

Watashi wa nihongo wo oshieru koto ga dekimasu

I can teach Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 教える (oshieru) - verb that means "teach"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - expression that indicates the ability or possibility of doing something

私は自分の家具を造ることができます。

Watashi wa jibun no kagu o tsukuru koto ga dekimasu

I can make my own furniture.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - reflexive pronoun meaning "myself"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that something belongs to someone
• 家具 (kagu) - noun that means "furniture"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 造る (tsukuru) - verb that means "to do" or "to build"
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私はドアをノックしました。

Watashi wa doa wo nokku shimashita

I knocked on the door.

I knocked on the door.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• ドア (doa) - noun meaning "door"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• ノック (nokku) - verb meaning "to knock" or "to touch" (on the door)
• しました (shimashita) - conjugation of the verb "suru" in the past tense, indicating that the action was completed

私はこのプロジェクトの担当者です。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto no tantōsha desu

I am responsible for this project.

I am the person in charge of this project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - katakana word meaning "project"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the project"
• 担当者 (tantousha) - noun that means "responsible" or "in charge"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates to be, in this case "I am" or "I am"

私はげっそりと疲れています。

Watashi wa gessori to tsukarete imasu

I'm exhausted

I am tired.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• げっそり (gessori) - adverb meaning "exhausted"
• と (to) - particle indicating the connection between "exhausted" and "tired"
• 疲れています (tsukareteimasu) - verb meaning "to be tired"

私はお金を蓄えることが大切だと思います。

Watashi wa okane o takuwaeru koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I think it's important to save money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "money"
• 蓄える (takuwaeru) - verb meaning "to accumulate" or "to save"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event, in this case "saving"
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "save"
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• だ (da) - auxiliary verb indicating the present affirmative form of the sentence
• と (to) - particle indicating a quotation or thought, in this case "I think"
• 思います (omoimasu) - verb meaning "to think" or "to believe"

私はあなたにこのプレゼントを差し上げます。

Watashi wa anata ni kono purezento wo sashiageru

I will give you this gift.

I will give you this gift.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the recipient of the action, in this case "to you"
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• プレゼント (purezento) - noun meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "the present"
• 差し上げます (sashiagemasu) - verb meaning "to give", in the sense of offering something with respect or humility

私はじっと待っています。

Watashi wa jitto matteimasu

I'm patiently waiting.

I'm waiting for this.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• じっと (jitto) - adverb meaning "firmly" or "fixedly"
• 待っています (matteimasu) - verb meaning "to wait" in the present continuous tense

私はこのプロジェクトの受け持ちをしています。

Watashi wa kono purojekuto no ukemochi o shiteimasu

I am responsible for this project.

I am in charge of this project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• この (kono) - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - noun meaning "project"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the project"
• 受け持ち (ukemochi) - noun meaning "responsibility"
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "responsibility"
• しています (shiteimasu) - verb meaning "I'm taking over"

私は大学で聴講することが好きです。

Watashi wa daigaku de chōkō suru koto ga suki desu

I like to attend university lectures.

I like to listen to college.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 大学 (daigaku) - noun meaning "university"
• で (de) - particle indicating the place where the action takes place, in this case "at the university"
• 聴講する (choukou suru) - compound verb meaning "to attend classes without being enrolled"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating action or event
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "attending classes without being enrolled"
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality in the sentence