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:

きっぱりと断言します。

Kippari to dangen shimasu

I say categorically.

I affirm.

• きっぱりと - adverb meaning "clearly" or "decisively"
• 断言します - verb meaning "to assert" or "to declare"

くっきりとした輪郭が美しい。

Kukkiri to shita rinkaku ga utsukushii

A clear and sharp contour is beautiful.

The clear sketch is beautiful.

• くっきりとした - "clear" or "clear"
• 輪郭 - "contour" or "profile"
• 美しい - "handsome" or "beautiful"

クリームは私のお気に入りのデザートです。

Kurīmu wa watashi no okiniiri no dezāto desu

Cream is my favorite dessert.

Cream is my favorite dessert.

• クリーム (kurīmu) - cream
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - my
• お気に入りの (okiniiri no) - favorite
• デザート (dezāto) - dessert
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

クリスマスは家族と一緒に過ごす特別な日です。

Kurisumasu wa kazoku to issho ni sugosu tokubetsu na hi desu

Christmas is a special day spent with family.

Christmas is a special day to spend with your family.

• クリスマス (kurisumasu) - Christmas
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 家族 (kazoku) - family
• と (to) - connecting particle
• 一緒に (issho ni) - together
• 過ごす (sugosu) - spend time)
• 特別な (tokubetsu na) - special
• 日 (hi) - day
• です (desu) - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

コードを入力してください。

Kōdo wo nyūryoku shite kudasai

Type the code.

Enter the code.

• コード (Koodo) - It means "code" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 入力 (nyuuryoku) - means "entry" or "typing" in Japanese
• して (shite) - form of the verb "suru" (to do) in Japanese
• ください (kudasai) - polite expression to ask for something in Japanese

この出来事が私たちにとって大きな契機となりました。

Kono dekigoto ga watashitachi ni totte ookina keiki to narimashita

This event has become a great opportunity for us.

This event was a great opportunity for us.

• この (kono) - this
• 出来事 (dekigoto) - event/occurrence
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• にとって (nitotte) - for us
• 大きな (ookina) - large
• 契機 (keiki) - opportunity/chance
• と (to) - connect the words
• なりました (narimashita) - became

オートバイは速くて楽しい乗り物です。

Ootobai wa hayakute tanoshii norimono desu

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

• オートバイ (ootobai) - motorcycle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 速くて (hayakute) - fast and
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - fun
• 乗り物 (norimono) - vehicle
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

オートマチックな車は運転が楽です。

Ootomachikku na kuruma wa unten ga raku desu

An automatic car is easy to drive.

Automatic cars are easy to drive.

• オートマチックな - adjective that means "automatic"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• は - Topic particle
• 運転 - noun that means "to direct"
• が - subject particle
• 楽 - adjective that means "easy" or "comfortable"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

オートメーションは生産性を向上させるために重要な役割を果たしています。

Ootomeeshon wa seisansei wo koujou saseru tame ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Automation plays an important role in improving productivity.

Automation plays an important role in improving productivity.

• オートメーション - automation
• は - Topic particle
• 生産性 - Productivity
• を - Direct object particle
• 向上させる - Improve
• ために - For
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - Paper
• を果たしています - Perform

お姉さんはとても優しい人です。

Oneesan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

The older sister is a very kind person.

Your sister is a very kind person.

• お姉さん - honorific for "big sister"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "kind"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form