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.
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.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (と) to
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (と) to:
Example Sentences - (と) to
See below some example sentences:
Dōa o tojiru
Close the door.
Close the door.
- ドア - door
- を - object particle
- 閉じる - close
Doumo arigatou
Thank you very much.
thank you so much
- どうも - "doumo" means "thank you very much" or "very grateful" in Japanese.
- ありがとう - "arigatou" means "thank you" or "grateful" in Japanese.
Toire ni ikitai desu
I want to go to the bathroom.
- トイレ (toire) - Restroom
- に (ni) - particle indicating location
- 行きたい (ikitai) - want to go
- です (desu) - Sentence-ending particle
Doraibā wo motte imasu ka?
Do you have a screwdriver?
Do you have a driver?
- ドライバー (doraibā) - screwdriver
- を (wo) - object particle
- 持っていますか?(motte imasu ka?) - you have?
Toppu ni tatsu hito wa sekinin ga ookii desu
The person at the top is responsible.
- トップに立つ人 - person at the top
- は - Topic particle
- 責任 - responsibility
- が - subject particle
- 大きい - large
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Doraibu ni ikimashou
Let's go for a drive.
Let's go to the unit.
- ドライブ - Japanese word meaning "car ride"
- に - Japanese particle indicating the target or destination of an action
- 行きましょう - Japanese expression meaning "let's go"
Doraibu ni ikitai desu
I want to go for a car ride.
I want to go to the unit.
- ドライブ (doraibu) - means "car ride" in Japanese
- に (ni) - a particle that indicates the destination or place where something happens
- 行きたい (ikitai) - a conjugated form of the verb "ir" meaning "to want to go"
- です (desu) - a particle that indicates the polite or formal way of speaking
Torakku wa ookii kuruma desu
A truck is a large car.
The truck is a large car.
- トラック - Japanese word meaning "truck"
- は - Japanese topic particle
- 大きい - Japanese adjective meaning "big"
- 車 - Japanese word meaning "car"
- です - Japanese verb meaning "to be" or "to be", used to indicate a statement
Quero comer um hambúrguer no drive
I want to eat a hamburger on the drive.
- ドライブイン (Drive-in) - a type of restaurant where customers can order without leaving their car
- で (de) - a particle that indicates the place where something happens
- ハンバーガー (hamburguer) - a ground beef sandwich, usually served with bread, lettuce, tomato and other accompaniments
- を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- 食べたい (tabetai) - a verb meaning "to want to eat"
- です (desu) - a particle indicating the formality of the sentence
Trump wa Amerika no daitōryō desu
Trump is an American president.
- トランプ - first name of the current president of the United States, Donald Trump
- は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is President Trump
- アメリカ - country of the United States
- の - possession particle, indicating that President Trump is the leader of the country
- 大統領 - Japanese word for "president" or "head of state"
- です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicating that President Trump is currently the leader of the United States
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
