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:

スカートを履いています。

Sukāto wo haiteimasu

I'm wearing a skirt.

I'm wearing a skirt.

• スカート (sukāto) - get out
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 履いています (haiteimasu) - is wearing/putting on

スタートラインに立つ。

Sutāto rain ni tatsu

I'm at the starting line.

Stay at the starting line.

• スタートライン - 出発点 (しゅっぱつてん)
• に - particle in Japanese that indicates the location of something, in this case, "at"
• 立つ - 動詞 (どうし) para "ficar de pé" em japonês é "立つ" (たつ, tatsu).
• . - full stop, indicating the end of the sentence

スケートが大好きです。

Sukēto ga daisuki desu

I love skating.

• スケート (sukēto) - skating
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大好き (daisuki) - like very much, love
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

スタンドはジョジョの奇妙な冒険に出てくる重要な要素です。

Sutando wa Jojo no Kimyō na Bōken ni detekuru jūyōna yōso desu

The booth is a major factor in JoJo's strange adventure.

• スタンド - word in Japanese that refers to a supernatural power present in the series Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.
• ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 - title of the manga and anime series created by Hirohiko Araki.
• 出てくる - verb in Japanese that means "to appear" or "to emerge".
• 重要な - adjective in Japanese meaning "important".
• 要素 - noun in Japanese that means "element" or "component".
• です - auxiliary verb in Japanese that indicates an affirmation or a statement.

ストライキが起こった。

Sutoraiki ga okotta

There was a strike.

Strike happened.

• ストライキ (sutoraiki) - strike
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• 起こった (okotta) - occurred, happened (past tense of the verb 起こる - okoru)

ストーブをつけて暖かくしましょう。

Sutōbu o tsukete atatakaku shimashou

Let's turn on the heater and stay warm.

Let's set up the stove and heat it.

• ストーブ (sutoobu) - stove, heater
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• つけて (tsukete) - turn on
• 暖かく (atatakaku) - Hot, warm
• しましょう (shimashou) - let's do it, let's carry it out

ストローを使って飲み物を飲みます。

Sutorō o tsukatte nomimono o nomimasu

I drink my drink using a straw.

Drink a drink using a straw.

• ストロー (sutoroo) - "canudo" means "straw" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 使って (tsukatte) - verbal form of the verb "usar" in Japanese, which indicates the action of using something
• 飲み物 (nomimono) - means "drink" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 飲みます (nomimasu) - verb form of the verb "beber" in Japanese, which indicates the action of drinking something

ストレスは健康に悪影響を与える可能性があります。

Sutoresu wa kenkō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

Stress can have a negative impact on health.

Stress can have a negative effect on your health.

• ストレス - Japanese word meaning "stress"
• は - Particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "stress"
• 健康 - Word in Japanese that means "health"
• に - Particle in Japanese that indicates the relationship between "stress" and "health", in this case, "affects health"
• 悪影響 - Japanese word meaning "negative effect"
• を - particle in Japanese that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "negative effect"
• 与える - Japanese verb that means "to cause"
• 可能性 - Word in Japanese that means "possibility"
• が - particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "possibility"
• あります - Verb in Japanese that means "to exist", in this case, "there is a possibility"
• . - period to indicate the end of the sentence

ストロボを使って写真を撮りました。

Sutorobo wo tsukatte shashin wo torimashita

I took a photo using the flash.

I took a picture using a strobe light.

• ストロボ (sutorobo) - flash
• を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto do verbo
• 使って (tsukatte) - using
• 写真 (shashin) - fotografia
• を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto do verbo
• 撮りました (torimashita) - tirou (uma fotografia)

スピードが速い車が好きです。

Supīdo ga hayai kuruma ga suki desu

I like fast cars.

I like cars that are fast.

• スピードが速い - Fast speed
• 車 - car
• 好きです - taste