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:

作成することは重要です。

Sakusei suru koto wa juuyou desu

Creating is important.

Creating is important.

• 作成する - It means "to create" or "to produce".
• こと - It is an abstract noun that means "thing" or "fact".
• は - It is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "create" or "produce".
• 重要 - It means "important" or "crucial."
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar".

保存することは大切です。

Hozon suru koto wa taisetsu desu

Saving is important.

It is important to save.

• 保存する - means "save" in Japanese.
• こと - it is a particle that indicates an action or event.
• は - is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.

保温は冬にとても重要です。

Hoon wa fuyu ni totemo juuyou desu

Temperature maintenance is very important in winter.

Heat retention is very important in winter.

• 保温 - word meaning "thermal insulation"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 冬 - word meaning "winter"
• に - particle indicating the time at which something occurs
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 重要 - word meaning "important"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

伯母さんはとても優しい人です。

Obasan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My aunt is a very kind person.

Tia is a very kind person.

• 伯母さん - aunt (in Japanese)
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - Kind, friendly
• 人 - person
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

何なりとお申し付けください。

Nan'nari to o-moshi-tsuke kudasai

Please tell me what it is.

Please tell me what it is.

• 何なり - Anything
• と - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• お - honorific
• 申し付け - request
• ください - Please

今日の会議はとても重要です。

Kyou no kaigi wa totemo juuyou desu

Today's meeting is very important.

Today's meeting is very important.

• 今日の - today
• 会議 - meeting
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

仲間と一緒にいると楽しいです。

Nakama to issho ni iru to tanoshii desu

It's fun to be with friends.

It's fun to be with your friends.

• 仲間 - It means "companion/friend"
• と - it is a particle that indicates the company of someone
• 一緒に - It means "together/with"
• いる - It is a verb that indicates the action of being present.
• と - it is a particle that indicates the company of someone
• 楽しい - It is an adjective that means "fun/enjoyable"
• です - It is a particle that indicates formality and the end of the sentence.

人生は果てることのない旅路です。

Jinsei wa hateru koto no nai tabiji desu

Life is an endless journey.

Life is an endless journey.

• 人生 (jinsei) - Life
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 果てる (hateru) - finish, end
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• ない (nai) - Negative
• 旅路 (tabiji) - Journey, trip
• です (desu) - polite way of being

人生は予期せぬ方向に転じることがある。

Jinsei wa yokisenu houkou ni tenjiru koto ga aru

Life can change direction unexpectedly.

Life can turn in an unexpected direction.

• 人生 - Life
• は - Topic particle
• 予期せぬ - Inesperado
• 方向 - Direction
• に - Destination particle
• 転じる - change
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• ある - exist

争いは平和を生むことはない。

Arasoi wa heiwa o umu koto wa nai

The dispute does not bring peace.

Struggle does not create peace.

• 争い - means "conflict" or "dispute".
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 平和 - means "peace".
• を - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 生む - means "to generate" or "to produce".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• ない - negation in Japanese, which means "does not exist" or "is not possible".