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:

譲歩することは時には勝利を意味する。

Jōho suru koto wa toki ni wa shōri o imi suru

Sometimes

Instruction sometimes means victory.

• 譲歩する - cede, concede
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 時には - sometimes, occasionally
• 勝利 - victory
• を - direct object particle
• 意味する - to mean

責任を果たすことが大切です。

Sekinin wo hatasu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to fulfill responsibility.

It is important to fulfill your responsibilities.

• 責任 (sekinin) - responsibility
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 果たす (hatasu) - fulfill, carry out
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

財産を守ることは大切です。

Zaisan wo mamoru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to protect your property.

• 財産 - property, material goods
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 守る - protect, guard
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

責務を果たすことが大切です。

Sekimu wo hatasu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to fulfill your responsibilities.

It is important to fulfill your responsibilities.

• 責務 - responsibility
• を - object particle
• 果たす - fulfill
• こと - abstract noun
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - verb ser (polite form)

質素な生活を送ることが大切だ。

Shisso na seikatsu wo okuru koto ga taisetsu da

It is important to live a simple life.

• 質素な - adjective meaning "simple", "modest"
• 生活 - noun meaning "life", "way of life"
• を - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 送る - verb that means "to send"
• こと - noun meaning "thing", "fact"
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - adjective meaning "important", "valuable"
• だ - auxiliary verb indicating the affirmative form of the sentence

賢明な判断をすることが大切です。

Kenmei na handan wo suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to make wise decisions.

It is important to make a wise judgment.

• 賢明な - wise, prudent
• 判断をする - make decisions, judge
• ことが - is important
• 大切です - It's crucial, it's essential

賛美することは神に近づくことです。

Sambisu suru koto wa kami ni chikazuku koto desu

To praise is to approach God.

Praise is approaching God.

• 賛美すること - Action of praising or worshipping
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 神 - God
• に - Particle indicating the target of the action
• 近づくこと - Approaching action
• です - Verb to be in the polite form

足りると思う。

Tariru to omou

I think it's enough.

I think it's enough.

• 足りる - verb that means "to be enough"
• と - particle that indicates a quotation or a condition
• 思う - verb that means "to think" or "to find"

身なりがきちんとしている人は信頼できると思います。

Minarigashi ga kichinto shite iru hito wa shinrai dekiru to omoimasu

I think people dressed appropriately can be trusted.

• 身なり - Appearance
• が - subject particle
• きちんと - properly, correctly
• している - be doing
• 人 - person
• は - Topic particle
• 信頼 - Confidence
• できる - Be able to
• と - Quote particle
• 思います - believe, think

転寝すると腰が痛くなる。

Tennen suru to koshi ga itaku naru

If I sleep on my side

When I sleep, my back hurts.

• 転寝する - means "to change position while sleeping."
• と - it is a particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship. In this case, "when" or "if".
• 腰 - means "lower back" or "waist area".
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 痛くなる - means "to feel sore" or "to start to hurt".