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:

私の指にとげが刺さった。

Watashi no yubi ni toge ga sasatta

A thorn was stuck in my finger.

The throat arrested on my finger.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 指 (yubi) - It means "finger" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or direction
• とげ (toge) - It means "thorn" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 刺さった (sasatta) - The verb "sasaru" in the past, meaning "to pierce" or "to sting"

私の弟はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no otouto wa totemo kawaii desu

My younger brother is very cute.

My brother is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 弟 (otouto) - It means "younger brother" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my younger brother"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or formality

私は毎日歩くことが好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi aruku koto ga suki desu

I like to walk every day.

I like to walk every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic marker in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 歩くこと (aruku koto) - means "to walk" in Japanese, with "koto" being a nominal suffix that turns the verb into a noun
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese, indicating that "walk" is the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - means "to like" in Japanese
• です (desu) - To be verb in Japanese, used to indicate the end of the sentence and politeness.

私は週に2回パートで働いています。

Watashi wa shū ni nikai pāto de hataraite imasu

I work a part time job twice a week.

I work twice a week.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates the subject of the sentence
• 週 (shuu) - means "week" in Japanese
• に (ni) - Japanese time particle, indicates when something happens
• 2 (ni) - number two in Japanese
• 回 (kai) - means "times" in Japanese and indicates the frequency of an action
• パート (paato) - borrowed from the English word "part-time", meaning part-time work
• で (de) - location particle in Japanese, indicates where something happens
• 働いています (hataraiteimasu) - polite form of the verb "to work" in Japanese, indicates the action being performed

私は彼女に会うときはいつもどきどきしています。

Watashi wa kanojo ni au toki wa itsumo dokidoki shiteimasu

I always get anxious when I find her.

I always throb when I know it.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 彼女 (kanojo) - It means "she" or "girlfriend" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 会う (au) - verb that means "to find" or "to meet" in Japanese.
• とき (toki) - noun that means "time" or "moment" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• いつも (itsumo) - adverb that means "always" in Japanese
• どきどき (dokidoki) - onomatopoeia that represents the sound of a heart beating fast, used to express nervousness or anxiety in Japanese
• しています (shiteimasu) - present form of the verb "suru" which means "to do" in Japanese

私は高く跳ぶことができます。

Watashi wa takaku tobu koto ga dekimasu

I can jump high.

I can jump high.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 高く (takaku) - adverb that means "high" in Japanese
• 跳ぶ (tobu) - verb meaning "to jump" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - The word is "koto," which means "thing" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" in Japanese

私はラケットでテニスをします。

Watashi wa raketto de tenisu o shimasu

I play tennis with a racket.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• ラケット (raketto) - Japanese word meaning "racket"
• で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the means or instrument used to perform an action
• テニス (tenisu) - word in Japanese that means "tennis"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• します (shimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"

私のコレクションはとても大切です。

Watashi no korekushon wa totemo taisetsu desu

My collection is very important.

• 私 - Personal pronoun "I" in Japanese
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• コレクション - "coleção" - collection
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "precious".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate formality and respect in communication

私は飛行機を操縦することができます。

Watashi wa hikouki wo soujuu suru koto ga dekimasu

I can fly a plane.

I can control the plane.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 飛行機 - noun "plane"
• を - direct object particle, indicating that "plane" is the direct object of the action
• 操縦する - verb "pilot"
• ことができます - expression that indicates the ability or possibility of doing something

私はレストランの予約をした。

Watashi wa resutoran no yoyaku o shita

I made a reservation at the restaurant.

I made a reservation for a restaurant.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topical particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• レストラン - Japanese word that means "restaurant"
• の - particle indicating possession or relationship, in this case, "of the restaurant"
• 予約 - Japanese word that means "reserva"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "the reservation"
• した - Japanese verb meaning "did" or "accomplished"