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:

ボートで湖を漕ぐのはとても楽しいです。

Bōto de mizuumi wo kogu no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Rowing a boat in a lake is a lot of fun.

It's a lot of fun to row a lake with a boat.

• ボート (bōto) - boat
• で (de) - in, with
• 湖 (mizuumi) - lake
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 漕ぐ (kogu) - remar
• の (no) - Possession particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

ポイントを貯めることができます。

Poin to o tam eru koto ga dekimasu

Você pode acumular pontos.

Você pode ganhar pontos.

• ポイント (poinuto) - palavra em japonês que significa "ponto"
• を (o) - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 貯める (tameru) - verbo em japonês que significa "acumular"
• ことが (koto ga) - expressão em japonês que indica ação ou evento
• できます (dekimasu) - verbo em japonês que significa "ser capaz de"

ポストに手紙を投函しました。

Posto ni tegami wo toukan shimashita

I put a letter in the mailbox.

I posted a letter to the post.

• ポスト (posuto) - mail box
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 手紙 (tegami) - letter
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object
• 投函 (toukan) - put in the mailbox
• しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"

ポットでお茶を入れます。

Potto de ocha wo iremasu

I'm going to make tea in the teapot.

Put tea in the pot.

• ポット (potto) - It means "jar" or "pot" in Japanese.
• で (de) - a particle that indicates the location where the action takes place, in this case, "in"
• お茶 (ocha) - means "tea" in Japanese
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the tea"
• 入れます (iremasu) - a verb that means "put" or "prepare", in this case, "prepare the tea in the pitcher"

ほっと一息つく

Hotto isshoku tsuku

It means "Take a deep breath and relax".

Give a break

• ほっと - Japanese expression that indicates relief, relaxation
• 一息 - Japanese expression meaning "a sigh", "a breath"
• つく - Japanese verb that means "rest", "stop".

メートルは長さを測るための単位です。

Mētoru wa nagasa o hakaru tame no tan'i desu

Metro is a unit of measure for length.

The meter is a unit to measure the length.

• メートル - unit of measurement of length
• は - Topic particle
• 長さ - Length
• を - direct object particle
• 測る - measure
• ため - purpose
• の - Possession particle
• 単位 - unidade
• です - verb ser (polite form)

もっと勉強しなければならない。

Motto benkyou shinakereba naranai

I need to study more.

I have to study more.

• もっと - adverb that means "more"
• 勉強 - noun meaning "study"
• しなければ - negative form of the verb "する" (to do) in the conditional
• ならない - suffix that indicates obligation or necessity

モデルは美しさと自信を与えてくれる。

Moderu wa utsukushisa to jishin o ataete kureru

Models bring beauty and confidence.

The model offers beauty and confidence.

• モデル - model
• は - Topic particle
• 美しさ - beauty
• と - connecting particle
• 自信 - Confidence
• を - direct object particle
• 与えてくれる - give (to me)

ヨットで海を渡ろう。

Yotto de umi wo watarou

Let's cross the sea by yacht.

Let's cross the sea with a yacht.

• ヨット (yotto) - means "yacht" in Japanese
• で (de) - a particle indicating the means or method used to carry out the action
• 海 (umi) - means "sea" in Japanese
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action
• 渡ろう (watarou) - a verb form that indicates the intention to "cross" or "cross over"

レインコートを着て外出しましょう。

Reinkōto o kite gaishutsu shimashou

Let's go out with a raincoat.

• レインコート - Japanese word meaning "raincoat"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 着て - Japanese verb meaning "to wear"
• 外出 - Japanese noun meaning "exit, walk"
• しましょう - verb in Japanese that indicates a suggestion or invitation to do something together, in this case "let's go out together wearing a raincoat"