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:

この本はとても面白いです。

Kono hon wa totemo omoshiroi desu

This book is very interesting.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 面白い - The adjective that means "interesting/fun" is "面白い" (omoshiroi).
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form

この枝はとても美しいです。

Kono eda wa totemo utsukushii desu

This branch is very beautiful.

This branch is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 枝 - noun meaning "twig"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この杯はとても美しいです。

Kono hai wa totemo utsukushii desu

This cup is very beautiful.

This cup is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 杯 - Noun that means "glass" or "cup"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この橋はとても美しいです。

Kono hashi wa totemo utsukushii desu

This bridge is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 橋 - noun that means "bridge"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - state verb indicating "to be"

この池はとても美しいです。

Kono ike wa totemo utsukushii desu

This lake is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 池 - noun that means "lake"
• は - topic particle indicating that the lake is the theme of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この溶液はとても濃いです。

Kono youeki wa totemo koi desu

This solution is very concentrated.

This solution is very dark.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 溶液 - noun meaning "solution"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 濃い - adjective that means "concentrated"
• です - linking verb that indicates the polite and educated form of speech

この病気の経過はどうですか？

Kono byouki no keika wa dou desu ka?

How is this disease?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 病気 - noun meaning "disease"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 経過 - noun meaning "progress" or "evolution"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• どう - adverb meaning "like"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

この町はとても静かです。

Kono machi wa totemo shizuka desu

This city is very quiet.

This city is very quiet.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 町 - noun meaning "city"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 静か - adjective meaning "silent, tranquil"
• です - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject

この看板はとても美しいです。

Kono kanban wa totemo utsukushii desu

This sign is very beautiful.

This signal is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 看板 - noun meaning "sign" or "poster"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "this license plate"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the present tense

「この祭壇はとても美しいです」

Kono saidan wa totemo utsukushii desu

This altar is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 祭壇 - noun meaning "altar"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "this altar"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form