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:

見えることが大切です。

Mieru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to be able to see.

It is important to see this.

• 見える - To see
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

規律を守ることは大切です。

Kiritsu wo mamoru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to follow the rules.

It is important to maintain discipline.

• 規律 - It means "rule" or "discipline".
• を - object particle.
• 守る - Verb that means "observe" or "fulfill".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• は - topic particle.
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "valuable".
• です - verb that indicates "to be" or "to stay" in a polite form.

規則を守ることは大切です。

Kisoku wo mamoru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to follow the rules.

• 規則 - means "rules" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 守る - It means "to keep" or "to fulfill" in Japanese.
• こと - It means "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese.
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating an affirmation or a statement.

見逃すと後悔するかもしれない。

Minogasu to koukai suru kamoshirenai

You may regret if you lose.

• 見逃す - verb that means "to lose sight of," "to let go unnoticed"
• と - particle that indicates a condition or consequence
• 後悔する - compound verb that means "to regret", "to feel remorse"
• かもしれない - expression that means "may be", "perhaps"

視点を変えることで新しい発見がある。

Shiten wo kaeru koto de atarashii hakken ga aru

Changing the point of view can lead to new discoveries.

There is a new discovery by changing the point of view.

• 視点 (shiten) - point of view
• を (wo) - object particle
• 変える (kaeru) - change/alter
• ことで (koto de) - through
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• 発見 (hakken) - discovery
• が (ga) - subject particle
• ある (aru) - exist/have

規範を守ることは社会的責任です。

Kihan wo mamoru koto wa shakaiteki sekinin desu

It is a social responsibility to protect the norm.

• 規範 (kihan) - norm, rule
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 守る (mamoru) - protect, obey
• こと (koto) - Abstract noun, in this case, "the act of obeying the rules"
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 社会的 (shakaiteki) - Social
• 責任 (sekinin) - responsibility
• です (desu) - verb "to be", in this case, indicating an affirmation

親は子供にとって大切な存在です。

Oya wa kodomo ni totte taisetsu na sonzai desu

Parents are an important presence in children's lives.

Parents are important to children.

• 親 (oya) - means "father" or "mother" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the parents"
• 子供 (kodomo) - means "child" or "son" in Japanese
• にとって (ni totte) - "to" or "in relation to", in this case, "to the children"
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• な (na) - grammatical particle that indicates the adjectival form of the previous term, in this case, "important"
• 存在 (sonzai) - It means "existence" or "presence" in Japanese
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the polite and formal way of stating something, in this case, "is"

角度を測ることが大切です。

Kakudo wo hakaru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to measure the angle.

• 角度 (kakudo) - angle
• を (wo) - object particle
• 測る (hakaru) - measure
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

観覧することは私にとって楽しいです。

Kanran suru koto wa watashi ni totte tanoshii desu

for me

Seeing is fun for me.

• 観覧すること - observe, contemplate
• は - Topic particle
• 私にとって - for me
• 楽しいです - It's fun

解放された国民は自由に生きることができる。

Kaihō sareta kokumin wa jiyū ni ikiru koto ga dekiru

Liberated people can live freely.

• 解放された - freed
• 国民 - citizens
• は - Topic particle
• 自由に - freely
• 生きる - live
• ことが - nominal particle
• できる - Be able to