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:

このテストで満点を取りたいです。

Kono tesuto de manten o toritai desu

I want to take the maximum grade on this test.

I want to get a perfect score on this test.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• テスト - noun "test"
• で - Particle that indicates the place where something happens
• 満点 - noun "highest grade"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 取りたい - verb "to want to catch"
• です - particle that indicates the end of a sentence and gives a tone of formality

このパンはとても硬いです。

Kono pan wa totemo katai desu

This bread is very hard.

This bread is very difficult.

• この - this
• パン - bread
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 硬い - Hard
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

このブローチはとても美しいです。

Kono burōchi wa totemo utsukushii desu

This brooch is very beautiful.

This brooch is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• ブローチ - noun "brooch"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 美しい - adjective "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この取引は公正であることが保証されています。

Kono torihiki wa kōsei de aru koto ga hoshō sarete imasu

This transaction is guaranteed as fair.

• この (kono) - this, these
• 取引 (torihiki) - Transação, negociação
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 公正 (kousei) - justice, equity
• である (dearu) - to be
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 保証 (hoshou) - warranty, assurance
• されています (sareteimasu) - to be done, to be being done

このデータをウェブページに埋め込むことができます。

Kono dēta o webu pēji ni umekomu koto ga dekimasu

You can embed this data on a web page.

You can embed this data on the web page.

• この (kono) - this, these
• データ (dēta) - data
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• ウェブページ (webu pēji) - web page
• に (ni) - target particle
• 埋め込む (umekomu) - incorporate, embed
• こと (koto) - Nominalizer noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• できます (dekimasu) - can be done

この膜はとても薄くて強いです。

Kono maku wa totemo usukute tsuyoi desu

This membrane is very thin and strong.

This membrane is very thin and strong.

• この (kono) - this, these
• 膜 (maku) - membrane, film
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 薄い (usui) - fine, light
• 強い (tsuyoi) - strong
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

この問題はとても難しいです。

Kono mondai wa totemo muzukashii desu

This problem is very difficult.

This problem is very difficult.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 問題 - noun "problem"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 難しい - adjective "difficult"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この始末はどうしようもない。

Kono shimatsu wa dou shiyou mo nai

There is nothing you can do about this cleanup.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 始末 - noun meaning "disposition", "handling", "solution"
• は - Topic particle
• どうしようもない - expression that means "there is nothing that can be done", "it is irreparable"

この塀はとても高いです。

Kono hei wa totemo takai desu

This wall is very high.

This fence is very expensive.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 塀 - "wall"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 高い - adjective "tall"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この定規はとても便利です。

Kono jōgi wa totemo benri desu

This ruler is very useful.

This ruler is very convenient.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 定規 - noun "ruler"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 便利 - adjective "useful, convenient"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form