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:

スライドを使ってプレゼンテーションを作りました。

Suraido wo tsukatte purezenteshon wo tsukurimashita

I made a presentation using a slide.

• スライド (suraido) - slide
• を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto da frase
• 使って (tsukatte) - using
• プレゼンテーション (purezentēshon) - presentation
• を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto da frase
• 作りました (tsukurimashita) - made

スマートなデザインのスマートフォンが欲しいです。

Sumāto na dezain no sumātofon ga hoshii desu

I want a smartphone with a smart design.

• スマートな - adjective meaning "intelligent" or "elegant"
• デザイン - noun that means "design"
• の - Article that indicates possession or attribution
• スマートフォン - noun meaning "smartphone"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 欲しい - adjective meaning "to want" or "to desire"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

ずらっと並んでいる

Zuratto narande iru

They are lined up in a row.

is aligned

• ずらっと - adverb that indicates a queue or alignment of objects in a disordered manner
• 並んでいる - verb that indicates that objects are lined up in a row or sequence

そのレストランは名高いです。

sono resutoran wa mei takai desu

This restaurant is famous.

The restaurant is famous.

• その - demonstrative pronoun "that"
• レストラン - noun "restaurant"
• は - Topic particle
• 名高い - adjective "famous"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

その格好はとてもかわいいですね。

Sono kakkou wa totemo kawaii desu ne

This appearance is very cute.

Appearance is very cute.

• その - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
• 格好 - noun that means "appearance," "style," "form"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• かわいい - adjective that means "cute," "pretty"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - final particle that indicates the search for confirmation or agreement

チェンジは必要なことです。

Chenji wa hitsuyou na koto desu

Change is needed.

• チェンジ - Word in Japanese that means "change"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 必要 - word in Japanese that means "necessary"
• な - Particle in Japanese that indicates the adjectival form
• こと - Japanese word meaning "thing"
• です - Verb in Japanese that indicates the polite and formal form

デートに行きたいです。

Dēto ni ikitai desu

I want to go to a date.

I want to go to a date.

• デート - romantic date
• に - particle that indicates destination or direction
• 行きたい - want to go
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

デパートに行きたいです。

Depāto ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the mall.

I want to go to a department store.

• デパート (Depāto) - department store
• に (ni) - Particle that indicates destination or location
• 行きたい (ikitai) - want to go
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

テニスコートで運動するのが好きです。

Tenisukōto de undō suru no ga suki desu

I like to exercise on the tennis field.

I like to exercise on a tennis court.

• テニスコート (tenisukōto) - tennis court
• で (de) - em, no, na
• 運動 (undō) - Exercício, atividade física
• する (suru) - make
• のが (noga) - partítulo que indica que algo é o que se gosta de fazer
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

デモンストレーションを行う必要がある。

Demonstreshon wo okonau hitsuyou ga aru

A demo is required.

You need to do a demo.

• デモンストレーション - demonstration
• を - direct object particle
• 行う - accomplish
• 必要 - need
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist