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:

私の同僚はとても優秀です。

Watashi no dōryō wa totemo yūshū desu

My colleagues are very good.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 同僚 - noun meaning "coworker" in Japanese
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 優秀 - adjective meaning "excellent" in Japanese
• です - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject

私の母校はとても素晴らしい学校です。

Watashi no bokou wa totemo subarashii gakkou desu

My primary school is a very good school.

My alma mater is a wonderful school.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 母校 - noun that means "school where one graduated"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my school"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 素晴らしい - adjective that means "wonderful"
• 学校 - noun meaning "school"
• です - verb that indicates the polite way of affirming or asking something, in this case, "is"

私の恋人はとても素晴らしい人です。

Watashi no koibito wa totemo subarashii hito desu

My lover is a very wonderful person.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• 恋人 - Noun that means "lover" or "boyfriend/girlfriend" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "é" in Portuguese
• とても - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 素晴らしい - adjective that means "wonderful" or "excellent" in Japanese
• 人 - noun that means "person" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate state or quality

私は毎晩祈ることが習慣になっています。

Watashi wa maiban inoru koto ga shūkan ni natte imasu

Praying every night has become a habit for me.

I pray every night.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎晩 - adverb that means "every night"
• 祈る - The word is "pray"
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 習慣 - noun meaning "habit" or "custom"
• に - Particle that indicates the purpose or objective
• なっています - verb in the present progressive form indicating a habitual or customary action

私の旦那はとても優しいです。

Watashi no danna wa totemo yasashii desu

My husband is very kind.

• 私 - Personal pronoun meaning "I".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 旦那 - Noun meaning "husband".
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• とても - Adverb meaning "a lot".
• 優しい - Adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind".
• です - A linking verb that indicates the state or condition of the subject.

私は新しいプロジェクトを手掛ける予定です。

Watashi wa atarashii purojekuto o tegakeru yotei desu

I am planning to take on a new project.

I intend to work on a new project.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 新しい - adjective meaning "new"
• プロジェクト - noun meaning "project"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 手掛ける - verb that means "to deal with" or "to take on"
• 予定 - Noun that means "plan" or "schedule"
• です - verb to be in the present, which indicates the affirmation of the sentence

私の学級はとても楽しいです。

Watashi no gakkyū wa totemo tanoshii desu

My classroom is a lot of fun.

My class is really fun.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 学級 - noun that means "class" or "group"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 楽しい - adjective that means "fun" or "pleasant"
• です - linking verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the present

私の夫はとても優しいです。

Watashi no otto wa totemo yasashii desu

My husband is very kind.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 夫 - noun meaning "husband"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• です - a verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing oneself in Japanese

私の助手はとても優秀です。

Watashi no joshu wa totemo yuushu desu

My assistant is very good.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 助手 - noun meaning "assistant" or "helper"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優秀 - adjective meaning "excellent" or "competent"
• です - verb indicating the state or action of being or being

私の母はとても優しいです。

Watashi no haha wa totemo yasashii desu

My mother is very kind.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 母 - noun meaning "mother"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my mother"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• です - verb that indicates the state or action, in this case, "is" or "are"