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:

ピストルを持っている。

Pisutoru wo motte iru

I have a pistol.

• ピストル (pisutoru) - gun
• を (wo) - object particle
• 持っている (motteiru) - Holding

ピンを落とした。

Pin wo otoshita

I dropped the pin.

I dropped the pin.

• ピン (pin) - word in Japanese that means "pin" or "needle"
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 落とした (otoshita) - Japanese verb meaning "to fall" or "to drop" in the past tense

ブラシで髪をとかす。

Burashi de kami wo tokasu

I brush my hair with a brush.

Include your hair with a brush.

• ブラシ (burashi) - brush
• で (de) - with
• 髪 (kami) - hair
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• とかす (tokasu) - to comb

プラットホームには多くの人がいます。

Plattafōmu ni wa ōku no hito ga imasu

There are many people on the platform.

• プラットホーム (purattohōmu) - platform
• には (niwa) - in
• 多くの (ōku no) - Many
• 人 (hito) - people
• が (ga) - subject
• います (imasu) - Present

プラスチックは環境に悪影響を与えることがあります。

Purasuchikku wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru koto ga arimasu

Plastic can have a negative impact on the environment.

Plastic can have a negative effect on the environment.

• プラスチック - Word in Japanese that means "plastic"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 環境 - Japanese word meaning "environment"
• に - particle in Japanese that indicates the relationship of something with something else
• 悪影響 - Japanese word meaning "negative effect"
• を - particle in Japanese that indicates the object of the sentence
• 与える - Japanese verb that means "to cause"
• こと - noun in Japanese that means "thing"
• が - Particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb in Japanese that means "to exist"

プリントを取りに行きます。

Purinto wo tori ni ikimasu

I will seek the impression.

I will take an impression.

• プリント - "print" in Japanese
• を - object particle
• 取り - verb form "取る" (to take)
• に - target particle
• 行きます - polite form of the verb "行く" (to go)

フリーで使えるソフトウェアがある。

Furii de tsukaeru sofutowea ga aru

• フリー (furii) - It means "free" or "liberated" in Japanese.
• で (de) - a particle that indicates the medium or place where something happens
• 使える (tsukaeru) - a verb that means "to use" or "to be usable"
• ソフトウェア (sofutowea) - ソフトウェア
• が (ga) - a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある (aru) - a verb that means "to exist" or "to have"

ベッドで寝るのが好きです。

Beddo de neru no ga suki desu

I like to sleep in bed.

• ベッド (bed) - a piece of furniture to sleep on
• で (de) - a particle that indicates the place where something happens
• 寝る (neru) - verb meaning "to sleep"
• のが (no ga) - a particle indicating someone's preference or ability
• 好き (suki) - an adjective meaning "to like"
• です (desu) - a particle that indicates the formality and conclusion of a sentence

プレゼントをもらったら嬉しいです。

Puresento wo morattara ureshii desu

I'm happy if you get a gift.

• プレゼント (presente) - object given as a gift
• を (partícula de objeto) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• もらったら (se receber) - conditional form of the verb もらう (receive), indicating a hypothetical action
• 嬉しい (feliz) - adjective that expresses the feeling of happiness
• です (ser/estar) - linking verb indicating the existence or state of something

ヘリコプターは空を飛ぶことができる。

Herikoputaa wa sora wo tobu koto ga dekiru

Helicopters can fly in the air.

The helicopter can fly in the sky.

• ヘリコプター - helicopter
• は - Topic particle
• 空 - sky
• を - Direct object particle
• 飛ぶ - Fly
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• できる - To be able to