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:

あくどい色の服を着るのは好きじゃない。

Akudoi iro no fuku wo kiru no wa suki janai

I don't like to wear a terrible color.

I don't like to wear a terrible color.

• あくどい色 - Dark or gloomy color
• 服 - clothing
• 着る - wear
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 好き - Like
• じゃない - Informal negative of "desu", which indicates negation.

あなたはとても可愛いちゃんですね。

Anata wa totemo kawaii chan desu ne

You are very cute

• あなた (anata) - you
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 可愛い (kawaii) - bonito, fofo
• ちゃん (chan) - affectionate suffix for girls
• です (desu) - Verb to be
• ね (ne) - confirmation particle

アメリカは自由と民主主義の象徴です。

Amelika wa jiyū to minshu shugi no shōchō desu

America is a symbol of freedom and democracy.

The United States is a symbol of freedom and democracy.

• アメリカ - America
• は - Topic particle
• 自由 - freedom
• 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.
• 民主主義 - democracy
• の - Possession particle
• 象徴 - symbol
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

アンケートにご協力いただきありがとうございます。

Ankēto ni go kyōryoku itadaki arigatō gozaimasu

Thank you for your cooperation in the research.

Thank you for your cooperation in the questionnaire.

• アンケート (anketo) - questionnaire
• に (ni) - Particle indicating action directed towards something or someone.
• ご (go) - honorary prefix that indicates respect
• 協力 (kyouryoku) - collaboration, help
• いただき (itadaki) - humble way of receiving something.
• ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) - formal expression of gratitude

過半数の票を獲得することが勝利の条件です。

Kahansū no hyō o kakutoku suru koto ga shōri no jōken desu

Gaining the most votes is a victory condition.

• 過半数 - means "majority" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words.
• 票 - means "votes" in Japanese.
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 獲得する - verb meaning "to obtain" or "to conquer" in Japanese.
• ことが - particle indicating that the previous verb is the subject of the sentence.
• 勝利 - means "victory" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words.
• 条件 - means "condition" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative.

「文法が正しい文章を書くことは重要です。」

Bunpou ga tadashii bunshou wo kaku koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to write the correct sentence.

• 「文法が正しい文章を書くことは重要です。」
• 「」 - Japanese quotation marks
• 文法 - Word that means "grammar"
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 正しい - adjective meaning "correct"
• 文章 - Noun that means "phrase" or "text"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書く - Verb meaning "to write"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - Verb that indicates the state or condition of the sentence

トレーニングをすることは健康的な生活に欠かせない。

Toreeningu wo suru koto wa kenkouteki na seikatsu ni kakasenai

Training is essential for a healthy life.

Training is indispensable for a healthy life.

• トレーニング - - word in Japanese that means "training".
• をすることは - - expression in Japanese that indicates the action of doing something, in this case, the training.
• 健康的な - - word in Japanese that means "healthy".
• 生活に - - a Japanese expression that indicates the relationship with lifestyle.
• 欠かせない - - word in Japanese that means "indispensable" or "essential".

瞬きが速い人は神経が鋭いと言われています。

Winku ga hayai hito wa shinkei ga surudoi to iwareteimasu

People with rapid blinking are said to be nervous.

• 瞬き - - blink of an eye
• が - - subject particle
• 速い - - fast
• 人 - - person
• は - - Topic particle
• 神経 - - nervous
• が - - subject particle
• 鋭い - - sharp
• と - - Quote particle
• 言われています - - it's said, it's spoken

何とかなる。

Nantoka naru

Everything will be fine.

Somehow.

• Input - - indicates that the following word is what was entered into the system
• 何とかなる - It's the phrase in Japanese that means "everything will be fine."
• Output - - indicates that the following word is the answer or result of the system

圧迫されると息苦しくなる。

Appaku sareru to ikigurushiku naru

When I'm under pressure

It becomes muffled when compressed.

• Input - - indicates that the next line contains the input.
• 圧迫される - a Japanese word meaning "to be pressed".
• と - Japanese particle that indicates a connection between two things or events.
• 息苦しく - a Japanese word meaning "to feel short of breath".
• なる - a Japanese word meaning "to become".
• Output - - indicates that the next line contains the output or result.