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:

ぼつぼつと歩く

botsu botsu to aruku

walk slowly and with difficulty.

to walk

• ぼつぼつと - botsu botsu to - irregularly, bumpily
• 歩く - walk - to walk

コンクリートは建築物の基礎に欠かせない素材です。

Konkurīto wa kenchikubutsu no kiso ni kakasenai sozai desu

Concrete is an essential material for building foundations.

Concrete is an indispensable material for the base of the building.

• コンクリート - concrete
• は - Topic particle
• 建築物 - building
• の - Possession particle
• 基礎 - Foundation
• に - target particle
• 欠かせない - indispensable
• 素材 - material
• です - Verb to be/estar

すんなりと彼女に告白できた。

Sun'nari to kanojo ni kokuhaku dekita

I managed to confess my feelings to her easily.

I managed to confess to her softly.

• すんなりと - adverb that indicates that something was done smoothly, without difficulties.
• 彼女に - particle that indicates that the action was directed towards "her", in this case, the girlfriend.
• 告白 - noun that means "confession", in this case, the confession of love.
• できた - verb that indicates that the action was completed, in this case, the confession was made.

オーケストラの演奏は美しいです。

Ookesutora no ensou wa utsukushii desu

The presentation of an orchestra is beautiful.

The orchestra performance is beautiful.

• オーケストラ - orchestra
• の - Possessive particle (indicates that the orchestra is the subject of the sentence)
• 演奏 - Performance, execution (in this case, of the orchestra)
• は - Topic particle (indicates that the performance of the orchestra is the theme of the sentence)
• 美しい - Nice, beautiful, beautiful
• です - Copula particle (indicates that the sentence is an affirmative statement)

このパンフレットを配ることができますか？

Kono panfuretto wo kubaru koto ga dekimasu ka?

Posso distribuir esses panfletos?

Can you distribute this pamphlet?

• この - this
• パンフレット - leaflet
• を - direct object particle
• 配る - distribute
• こと - action abstract noun
• が - subject particle
• できますか - can you do it?

この書類には指定されたフォーマットに従って記入してください。

Kono shorui ni wa shitei sareta formatto ni shitagatte kinyuu shite kudasai

Please complete this document in the specified format.

Complete this document according to the specified format.

• この - this
• 書類 - Document
• には - indicates a location or a target
• 指定された - specified
• フォーマット - Format
• に従って - according to
• 記入してください - fill in

この部屋はとても冷える。

Kono heya wa totemo hieru

This room is very cold.

This room is too cold.

• この - this
• 部屋 - fourth
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 冷える - to be cold

駄目なことはやめましょう。

Dame na koto wa yamemashou

Let's stop doing useless things.

Let's stop doing anything.

• 駄目 (dame) - means "useless" or "inappropriate"
• な (na) - a particle indicating a negation or restriction
• こと (koto) - means "thing" or "subject"
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• やめましょう (yamemashou) - means "let's stop" or "let's stop doing"

髭を剃ると肌がスベスベになる。

Hige wo soru to hada ga subesube ni naru

Shaving your beard will make your skin smooth.

Shaving your beard will make your skin smooth.

• 髭 (hige) - means "beard" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 剃る (sorou) - verb that means "to scrape" or "to shave" in Japanese
• と (to) - particle that indicates a cause-and-effect relationship in Japanese
• 肌 (hada) - It means "skin" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• スベスベ (subesube) - An adjective that means "soft" or "gentle" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - particle that indicates a change of state in Japanese
• なる (naru) - verb that means "to become" in Japanese

とても嬉しいです。

Totemo ureshii desu

I am really happy.

I am really happy.

• <とても>- means "a lot" in Japanese.
• <嬉しい>- means "happy" in Japanese.
• <です>- is a closing particle in Japanese that indicates an affirmative statement.