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:

リットルは液体の体積の単位です。

Rittoru wa ekitai no tairyaku no tan'i desu

The liter is the unit of the volume of the liquid.

• リットル - unit of volume measurement
• は - Topic particle
• 液体 - liquid
• の - Possession particle
• 体積 - volume
• の - Possession particle
• 単位 - unidade
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

レギュラーな生活を送ることが大切です。

Regyurā na seikatsu o okuru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to lead a regular life.

It is important to live a regular life.

• レギュラー - regular
• な - (grammatical particle that indicates adjective)
• 生活 - life, lifestyle
• を - (grammatical particle indicating direct object)
• 送る - send, send, live
• こと - (grammatical particle indicating action or event)
• が - (grammatical particle indicating subject)
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - (grammatical particle indicating sentence completion)

ロケットが宇宙に飛び立った。

Roketto ga uchuu ni tobitatta

The rocket took off to the space.

The rocket flew into space.

• ロケット - Rocket
• が - partícula que indica o sujeito de uma frase
• 宇宙 - Space
• に - particle indicating the location of an action
• 飛び立った - took off, departed

レディーとして振る舞いましょう。

Redii to shite furumai mashou

Let's behave like a lady.

• レディー (Redii) - "lady" means "女性" in Japanese.
• として (toshite) - means "as" or "as" in Japanese
• 振る舞い (furumai) - means "behavior" or "way of acting" in Japanese
• ましょう (mashou) - is a suffix that indicates a suggestion or invitation to do something in Japanese

ワットは電力の単位です。

Watto wa denryoku no tanni desu

Wat is a unit of energy.

• ワット - unit of measurement of power
• は - Topic particle
• 電力 - Electricity
• の - Possession particle
• 単位 - Unit of measurement
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

一年に一回のイベントが楽しみです。

Ichinen ni ikkai no ibento ga tanoshimi desu

I look forward to the event once a year.

• 一年 (ichi-nen) - one year
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 一回 (ik-kai) - once
• の (no) - Article that indicates possession or attribution
• イベント (ibento) - event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ (tanoshimi) - Prazer, diversão
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

一昨日はとても暑かったです。

Ototoi wa totemo atsukatta desu

The previous day was very hot.

• 一昨日 (ototoi) - the day before yesterday
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 暑かった (atsukatta) - It was hot
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

一見は十年の修行という言葉がある。

Hitomi wa jūnen no shugyō to iu kotoba ga aru

There is a saying that a single look is equivalent to ten years of training.

At first glance, there is a ten -year training.

• 一見 - means "at first sight" or "at first glance".
• 十年 - means "ten years".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 修行 - means "training" or "discipline".
• という - an expression that indicates that the previous word is quoted or mentioned.
• 言葉 - means "word" or "expression".
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• ある - Verb that means "to exist" or "to have".

三人の友達と一緒に遊ぶ。

Mittsu no tomodachi to issho ni asobu

Play with three friends.

Play with three friends.

• 三人 - three people
• の - Possession particle
• 友達 - friends
• と - connecting particle
• 一緒に - together
• 遊ぶ - Play

上回ることができた。

Uwamawaru koto ga dekita

I was able to overcome.

I was able to get over it.

• 上回る - verb meaning "to overcome" or "to surpass"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できた - verb meaning "to be able to do" or "to be able to do" in the past