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:

進み続けることが大切です。

Susumi tsuzukeru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to keep moving forward.

It's important to keep going.

• 進み続ける - continuous progress
• こと - abstract noun
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

週末に友達と遊ぶのが好きです。

Shuumatsu ni tomodachi to asobu no ga suki desu

I like going out with friends on the weekends.

I like to play with friends on weekends.

• 週末 - weekend
• に - particle that indicates the time or place where something happens
• 友達 - friends)
• と - particle indicating company
• 遊ぶ - play, have fun
• のが - particle that indicates that something is liked or preferred
• 好き - like, prefer
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

配布されたチラシを手に取った。

Haifu sareta chirashi wo te ni totta

I took the distributed leaflet.

• 配布された - distributed
• チラシ - leaflet
• を - object particle
• 手に取った - took his hand

彼を説得するのは難しいです。

Kare wo settoku suru no wa muzukashii desu

It's hard to convince him.

It is hard to convince him.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 説得する - Japanese verb that means "to convince".
• のは - subjectivity particle in Japanese
• 難しい - Japanese adjective meaning "difficult"
• です - verb to be in Japanese

保守的な考え方は時に必要です。

Hoshuteki na kangaekata wa toki ni hitsuyou desu

Conservative thinking is sometimes necessary.

Conservative thinking is sometimes necessary.

• 保守的な - conservative
• 考え方 - way of thinking
• は - Topic particle
• 時に - sometimes
• 必要 - necessary
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

このチャンネルは映像がクリアで音声も良いです。

Kono channeru wa eizō ga kuria de onsei mo yoi desu

This channel has a clear picture and good sound.

This channel has clear video and has a good voice.

• この - this
• チャンネル - channel
• は - is
• 映像 - image
• が - (subject particle)
• クリア - clear
• で - (connection particle)
• 音声 - sound
• も - also
• 良い - good
• です - is (polite form of "to be")

ママは私の最高の友達です。

Mama wa watashi no saikou no tomodachi desu

Mom is my best friend.

• ママ (Mama) - mother
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - my
• 最高の (saikou no) - the best
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• です (desu) - Ser/estar (linking verb)

原典は古代の重要な文書です。

Genten wa kodai no juuyou na bunsho desu

The original is an important document from ancient times.

• 原典 (genten) - means "original text" or "primary source" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 古代 (kodai) - It means "ancient" or "primitive" in Japanese.
• の (no) - Possession particle in Japanese
• 重要な (juuyouna) - means "important" in Japanese, followed by the adjective particle な (na)
• 文書 (bunsho) - It means "document" or "written" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - polite way to be/act in Japanese

問答は人生の一部です。

Mondou wa jinsei no ichibu desu

Questions and answers are part of life.

• 問答 - "questions and answers"
• は - It is a topic marking particle in Japanese.
• 人生 - Means "life" in Japanese.
• の - it is a possessive particle in Japanese.
• 一部 - "part" in Japanese.
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.

土台は建物の基礎です。

Daidai wa tatemono no kiso desu

The base is the basics of the building.

• 土台 (dodai) - base, foundation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 建物 (tatemono) - building, construction
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 基礎 (kiso) - foundation, base
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay