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:

漠然とした不安がある。

Bakuzen to shita fuan ga aru

There is a vague feeling of anxiety.

I have a vague anxiety.

• 漠然とした - vague, imprecise
• 不安 - Anxiety, restlessness
• が - connecting particle
• ある - exist, have

潜水はとても楽しいです。

Sensui wa totemo tanoshii desu

Diving is very pleasant.

Diving is a lot of fun.

• 潜水 (せんすい) - dive
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 楽しい (たのしい) - Fun, pleasant
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

気が合う人と一緒にいると楽しいです。

Ki ga au hito to issho ni iru to tanoshii desu

It's fun to be with people who have the same energy as you.

It's fun to be with the people you care about.

• 気が合う - kigaau - to have similar interests or personalities
• 人 - hito - person
• と - to - with
• 一緒に - together - together
• いる - go be
• と - to - with
• 楽しい - Fun - fun
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) is

気象予報は明日雨が降ると言っています。

Kishō yohō wa ashita ame ga furu to itte imasu

The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow.

The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow.

• 気象予報 - Weather forecast
• は - Topic particle
• 明日 - Tomorrow
• 雨 - Rain
• が - Subject particle
• 降る - Falling (for rain)
• と - Quotation particle
• 言っています - You're saying

決まることは決まった。

kimaru koto wa kimatta

The decision was made.

It was decided to be decided.

• 決まること - things decided
• は - Topic particle
• 決まった - it was decided

治療には時間がかかることがあります。

Chiryō ni wa jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

Tratamento pode levar tempo.

Treatment can take time.

• 治療 - Tratamento médico
• には - particle that indicates the target or objective of the action
• 時間 - time
• がかかる - it takes time
• ことがあります - expression that indicates that something may happen

歌を歌うことは私の生きる喜びです。

Uta wo utau koto wa watashi no ikiru yorokobi desu

Singing is the joy of my life.

Singing a song is my joy in life.

• 歌を歌うこと (uta wo utau koto) - sing a song
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - my
• 生きる (ikiru) - live
• 喜び (yorokobi) - joy
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

武装した警察官が街をパトロールしている。

Busou shita keisatsukan ga machi wo patorooru shite iru

Armed police officers patrol the streets.

Armed police officers are patrolling the city.

• 武装した - armored
• 警察官 - police officer
• が - subject particle
• 街 - city
• を - direct object particle
• パトロール - patrol
• している - Is doing

歩くことは健康に良いです。

Aruku koto wa kenkou ni yoi desu

Walking is good for health.

Walking is good for your health.

• 歩くこと - to walk
• は - Topic particle
• 健康に - for health
• 良いです - it's good

死ぬことは恐ろしいことではありません。生きることが恐ろしいことです。

Shinu koto wa osoroshii koto de wa arimasen. Ikiru koto ga osoroshii koto desu

Death is not a scary thing. Living is the scary thing.

Dying is not terrible. It's scary to live.

• 死ぬことは恐ろしいことではありません。- "Dying is not a scary thing."
• 生きることが恐ろしいことです。- "To live is the scary thing."