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:

私の祖父はとても優しい人です。

Watashi no sofu wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My grandfather is a very kind person.

My grandfather is a very kind person.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 祖父 - "Grandfather"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "as for my grandfather"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "kind"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• です - verb indicating the polite form of the present, in this case, "is"

私は日本語を教わることができますか？

Watashi wa nihongo wo osowaru koto ga dekimasu ka?

Can I be taught in Japanese?

Can I learn Japanese?

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 教わる (osowaru) - verb that means "to learn"
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• できますか (dekimasu ka) - Expression that means "is it possible?" or "can you?"

私は洋品店で新しいドレスを買いました。

Watashi wa youhinten de atarashii doresu wo kaimashita

I bought a new dress at the western clothing store.

I bought a new dress at a clothing store.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
• 洋品店 - noun "western clothing store"
• で - location particle, indicates that the action of buying took place "in the western clothing store"
• 新しい - adjective "new"
• ドレス - noun "dress"
• を - direct object particle, indicates that "new dress" is the direct object of the action of buying
• 買いました - verb "bought" in the past tense

私は美しい景色を描くことが好きです。

Watashi wa utsukushii keshiki wo egaku koto ga suki desu

I enjoy drawing beautiful landscapes.

I enjoy drawing beautiful landscapes.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 景色 (keshiki) - noun that means "landscape" or "view"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 描く (egaku) - verb that means "to draw" or "to paint"
• こと (koto) - abstract noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like" or "to appreciate"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私はプレゼントを包むのが上手です。

Watashi wa purezento wo tsutsumu no ga jouzu desu

I'm good at wrapping presents.

I'm good at wrapping presents.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• プレゼント (purezento) - noun meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 包む (tsutsumu) - The verb that means "to wrap."
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the subject of the skill
• 上手 (jouzu) - adjective meaning "good at"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject

私は新しいスマートフォンが欲しいです。

Watashi wa atarashii sumātofon ga hoshii desu

I want a new smartphone.

I want a new smartphone.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• スマートフォン (sumātofon) - noun meaning "smartphone"
• が (ga) - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case "smartphone"
• 欲しい (hoshii) - adjective meaning "to want"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は新しいプロジェクトを仕掛けるつもりです。

Watashi wa atarashii purojekuto o shikakeru tsumori desu

I intend to start a new project.

I'm going to set up a new project.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 新しい (atarashii) - adjective meaning "new"
• プロジェクト (purojekuto) - noun meaning "project"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "project"
• 仕掛ける (shikakeru) - verb meaning "to begin" or "to begin"
• つもり (tsumori) - expression that indicates the intention to do something
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私は自分で服を誂えることができます。

Watashi wa jibun de fuku o totonoeru koto ga dekimasu

I can customize my clothes.

I can customize my clothes.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - reflexive pronoun that means "oneself"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 服 (fuku) - The noun that means "clothing" is "服" (ふく, fuku) in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 誂える (atsumae ru) - verb meaning "to tailor"
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます (dekimasu) - Verb that means "to be able to"

私は彼女に尽くすことを決めました。

Watashi wa kanojo ni tsukusu koto o kimemashita

I decided to dedicate myself to her.

I decided to do my best.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun that means "girlfriend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for my girlfriend"
• 尽くす (tsukusu) - A verb that means "to dedicate oneself," "to serve," or "to treat with care."
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing," used to transform the verb into a noun
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the action, in this case "the dedication"
• 決めました (kimemashita) - verb that means "to decide," conjugated in the past, indicating that the action has already been completed.

私は自分の主張をしっかりと伝えたいと思います。

Watashi wa jibun no shuchou wo shikkari to tsutaetai to omoimasu

I want to convey my claims firmly.

I want to convey my claims firmly.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - Japanese reflexive pronoun meaning "myself"
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 主張 (shuchou) - Japanese noun meaning "claim" or "argument"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• しっかりと (shikkari to) - Japanese adverb meaning "firmly" or "firmly"
• 伝えたい (tsutaetai) - Japanese verb meaning "to want to convey"
• と (to) - Japanese particle indicating a quote or a condition
• 思います (omoimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to think" or "to believe"