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:

討議をすることは大切です。

Tōgi o suru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to discuss.

• 討議 - discussion, debate
• を - direct object particle
• する - to do, to accomplish
• こと - thing, subject
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

証言は真実を語ることが重要です。

Shōgen wa shinjitsu o kataru koto ga jūyō desu

Witness is important to tell the truth.

It is important to talk about the truth in testimony.

• 証言 - Testimony
• は - Topic particle
• 真実 - truth
• を - Direct object particle
• 語る - Speak
• こと - nominalizing noun
• が - Subject particle
• 重要 - Important
• です - polite way of being

話し合いは大切なことです。

Hanashi ai wa taisetsu na koto desu

Negotiation is an important thing.

Discussion is important.

• 話し合い (wahashiai) - Discussion, conversation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• こと (koto) - thing, subject
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

詰まることはない。

Tsumaru koto wa nai

There is nothing to worry about.

It is not stuck.

• 詰まる - Verb that means "clog up", "obstruct", "block"
• こと - noun meaning "thing", "fact"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• ない - adjective meaning "not existing", "not having"

詩を書くことは私の人生の喜びです。

Shi wo kaku koto wa watashi no jinsei no yorokobi desu

Writing poetry is the joy of my life.

• 詩 (shi) - poetry
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 書く (kaku) - write
• こと (koto) - noun maker
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 喜び (yorokobi) - joy
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

誤ることは人間らしいことだ。

Ayamaru koto wa ningen rashii koto da

To err is human.

The wrong thing is human.

• 誤る - verb that means "to err"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• は - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
• 人間 - noun that means "human being"
• らしい - suffix that indicates similarity or appearance
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• だ - auxiliary verb that indicates the affirmative form and present tense

読者は本を読むことが好きです。

Dokusha wa hon o yomu koto ga suki desu

Readers like to read books.

Readers like reading books.

• 読者 (yomikata) - reader
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 本 (hon) - book
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 読む (yomu) - read
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

謙ることは美徳です。

Kenjiru koto wa bitoku desu

It is a virtue to be humble.

• 謙る (humble oneself) - verb
• こと (thing) - noun
• は (particle indicating the topic of the sentence) - particle
• 美徳 (virtue) - noun
• です (copula indicating politeness) - verb

調節することが大切です。

Chōsetsu suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to adjust.

• 調節する - adjust, regulate
• こと - noun indicating action or event
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - important, essential
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating courtesy or formality

講義を受けることは大切です。

Kougi wo ukeru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to attend classes.

It is important to give a lecture.

• 講義 - lecture, class
• を - direct object particle
• 受ける - receive, watch
• こと - Thing, fact
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present