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:

窓口でチケットを買いました。

Madoguchi de chiketto wo kaimashita

I bought a ticket at the counter.

Bought a ticket at the counter.

• 窓口 (madoguchi) - counter
• で (de) - in
• チケット (chiketto) - Ticket
• を (wo) - direct object
• 買いました (kaimashita) - I bought

私たちは階級制度を廃止する必要があると信じています。

Watashitachi wa kaikyū seido o haishi suru hitsuyō ga aru to shinjite imasu

We believe we need to abolish the class system.

We believe we need to abolish the class system.

• 私たちは - We
• 階級制度 - class system
• を - object particle
• 廃止する - abolish
• 必要がある - be necessary
• と - Quote particle
• 信じています - believe

私たちは多くの時間を費やしてこのプロジェクトを完成させました。

Watashitachi wa ōku no jikan o tsuiyashte kono purojekuto o kansei sasemashita

We spent a lot of time and completed this project.

We spent a lot of time and completed this project.

• 私たちは (watashitachi wa) - We
• 多くの (ooku no) - Many
• 時間を (jikan o) - Time
• 費やして (tsuiyashite) - Expense
• この (kono) - This one
• プロジェクトを (purojekuto o) - project
• 完成させました (kansei sasemashita) - We concluded

私たちは多くの経験と知識を有しています。

Watashitachi wa ōku no keiken to chishiki o yū shite imasu

We have a lot of experience and knowledge.

We have a lot of experience and knowledge.

• 私たちは (watashitachi wa) - We
• 多くの (ooku no) - Many
• 経験 (keiken) - Experiences
• と (to) - and
• 知識 (chishiki) - Knowledge
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 有しています (arushiteimasu) - We have

私のパスポートは有効期限が切れています。

Watashi no pasupōto wa yūkō kigen ga kirete imasu

My passport is expired.

My passport has expired.

• 私の - possessive pronoun "my"
• パスポート - noun "passport"
• は - Topic particle
• 有効期限 - noun "expiration date"
• が - subject particle
• 切れています - verb "to be overdue"

私は随筆を書くことが好きです。

Watashi wa zuihitsu o kaku koto ga suki desu

I like to write essays.

I like to write an essay.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence
• 随筆 - noun that means "essay" or "personal writing"
• を - direct object particle, which indicates the object of the action
• 書く - Verb meaning "to write"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "action"
• が - subject particle, which indicates who performs the action
• 好き - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or respectful form of the sentence

私は躊躇うことなく行動する。

Watashi wa tamerawu koto naku kōdō suru

I will act without hesitation.

I act without hesitation.

• 私 - means "I" in Japanese.
• は - is a topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I".
• 躊躇う - is a verb that means "to hesitate" or "to waver."
• こと - is a particle that indicates that the verb "hesitate" is being used as a noun.
• なく - is a particle that means "without".
• 行動する - is a verb that means "to act" or "to take action."

私は彼女に代わることができますか？

Watashi wa kanojo ni kawaru koto ga dekimasu ka?

Posso substituí-la?

Can I replace it?

• 私 - means "I" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I".
• 彼女 - Means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese.
• に - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the recipient of the action, in this case, "to her".
• 代わる - It means "replace" or "exchange" in Japanese.
• こと - It is a grammatical particle that indicates an action or event, in this case, "replace".
• が - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I".
• できます - means "power" or "to be able to" in Japanese.
• か - It is a grammatical particle that indicates a question, in this case, "can I replace it?"

私は彼女の関心を引くことができるだろうか。

Watashi wa kanojo no kanshin o hiku koto ga dekiru darou ka

Can I arouse her interest?

Can I get her interest?

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 - Japanese noun meaning "she" or "girlfriend"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession, in this case "hers"
• 関心 - Japanese noun meaning "interest"
• を - Japanese particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "interest"
• 引く - Japanese verb meaning "to attract"
• こと - Japanese noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• できる - Japanese verb meaning "to be able to"
• だろう - Japanese expression that indicates probability or uncertainty, in this case "I wonder if".
• か - Japanese particle indicating a question

私はタイピストです。

Watashi wa taipisuto desu

I'm digitizer

I am a typist.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• タイピスト - Japanese noun meaning "typist" or "typewriter"
• です - Japanese verb that indicates a polite and polished way of saying something, equivalent to the verb "ser" in Portuguese