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:

ホールでコンサートが行われます。

Hōru de konsāto ga okonawaremasu

A concert will be held at the hall.

A concert will be held at the hall.

• ホール (hōru) - Concert hall
• で (de) - em, no, na
• コンサート (konsāto) - concerto
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 行われます (okonawaremashita) - it will be done, it will be done

ポケットに手を入れる。

Poketto ni te wo ireru

Put your hand in your pocket.

Put your hand in your pocket.

• ポケット (poketto) - bag
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 手 (te) - hand
• を (wo) - particle indicating direct object
• 入れる (ireru) - put inside

テキストを入力してください。

Tekisuto wo nyuuryoku shite kudasai

Please enter text.

Enter the text.

• テキスト (tekisuto) - Text
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 入力 (nyūryoku) - input, typing
• して (shite) - form of the verb suru (to do)
• ください (kudasai) - please give me

デコレーションがとても美しいです。

Dekorēshon ga totemo utsukushii desu

The decoration is very beautiful.

The decoration is very beautiful.

• デコレーション (dekoreeshon) - decoration
• が (ga) - subject particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

デザートは私の一番好きな食べ物です。

Dēzāto wa watashi no ichiban suki na tabemono desu

Dessert is my favorite food.

Dessert is my favorite food.

• デザート - デザート (dezāto)
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "dessert."
• 私の - possessive pronoun in Japanese that means "my/mine".
• 一番 - expression in Japanese that means "the most," in this case, "my favorite dessert."
• 好きな - adjective in Japanese that means "favorite".
• 食べ物 - word in Japanese that means "food".
• です - verb in Japanese that means "to be/being", used to indicate the affirmation of the sentence.

テストは大切な学習の一環です。

Tesuto wa taisetsu na gakushuu no ikkan desu

Tests are an important part of learning.

Tests are part of important learning.

• テスト - test
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - Important
• な - adjectival suffix
• 学習 - apprenticeship
• の - Possessive particle
• 一環 - Part of it
• です - Verb to be/estar

テントでキャンプを楽しむ。

Tento de kyanpu o tanoshimu

Enjoy the camp in a tent.

Enjoy camping in the tent.

• テント (tento) - tent
• で (de) - in
• キャンプ (kyanpu) - camping
• を (wo) - direct object
• 楽しむ (tanoshimu) - enjoy

トーンを調整してください。

Tōn o chōsei shite kudasai

Please adjust the tone.

Adjust the tone.

• トーン (tōn) - tom
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 調整 (chōsei) - Adjustment, regulation
• してください (shite kudasai) - Please do

ドアを開く

Doa wo hiraku

Open the door.

open the door

• ドア (doa) - door
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 開く (hiraku) - open

ドアを閉めてください。

Dōa o shimeru te kudasai

Please close the door.

please close the door.

• ドア - door
• を - object particle
• 閉めて - close
• ください - please (polite request particle)