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:

この制度は公正であると信じています。

Kono seido wa kōsei de aru to shinjiteimasu

I believe this system is fair.

• この制度 - This policy/system
• は - Topic particle
• 公正 - Justo/imparcial
• である - To be
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - I believe

この商品はどのカテゴリーに属していますか？

Kono shouhin wa dono kategori ni zokushiteimasu ka?

In what category does this product belong to?

What category does this product belong to?

• この商品 - This Product
• は - Topic particle
• どの - "which"
• カテゴリー - "category"
• に - target particle
• 属していますか - "does it belong?" (polite form)

この商品はとても人気があります。

Kono shouhin wa totemo ninki ga arimasu

This product is very popular.

• この商品 - This Product
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 人気 - popularity
• が - subject particle
• あります - exist

この商品はとても安いです。

Kono shouhin wa totemo yasui desu

This product is very cheap.

• この商品 - This product
• は - Topic particle
• とても - Very
• 安い - Cheap
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

この問題は私の知識に当てはまるかどうかわかりません。

Kono mondai wa watashi no chishiki ni atehamaru ka dou ka wakarimasen

I don't know if this problem applies to my knowledge.

• この問題 - This question
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - mine
• 知識 - Knowledge
• に - Particle indicating target or location
• 当てはまる - Be applicable or appropriate
• かどうか - Whether or not
• わかりません - I don't know

この場所はとても長閑で静かです。

Kono basho wa totemo chōkan de shizuka desu

This place is very quiet and quiet.

This place is very silent and silent.

• この場所 - "this place"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 長閑 - "peaceful, serene"
• で - connecting particle
• 静か - "quiet, calm"
• です - polite way of "to be"

この場所はとても美しいです。

Kono basho wa totemo utsukushii desu

This place is very beautiful.

• この場所 - this place
• は - wa (topic particle)
• とても - totemo (muito)
• 美しい - utsukushii (bonito)
• です - is (verb to be in the present)

この時期は花粉症がひどいです。

Kono jiki wa kafunshou ga hidoi desu

This time

Right now, hay fever is terrible.

• この時期 - current period
• は - Topic particle
• 花粉症 - pollen allergy
• が - subject particle
• ひどい - severe, intense
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この曲はとても美しいです。

Kono kyoku wa totemo utsukushii desu

This song is very beautiful.

This song is very beautiful.

• この曲 - "kono kyoku" means "this music"
• は - "wa" is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• とても - "totemo" means "very"
• 美しい - "utsukushii" means "beautiful".
• です - "desu" is a polite form of saying "to be" or "to exist"

この本は私にとって重宝な情報源です。

Kono hon wa watashi ni totte chōhō na jōhōgen desu

This book is a valuable source of information for me.

This book is a helpful resource for me.

• この本 - This book
• は - Topic particle
• 私にとって - for me
• 重宝な - valuable
• 情報源 - source of information
• です - Verb to be/estar