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:

五月蝿いと言われる季節が嫌いです。

Gogatsubyoui to iwareru kisetsu ga kirai desu

I don't like the season it's called "Gogatsubyoui"

I hate the season, which is said to be can fly.

• 五月蝿い (gogatsubyoui) - means "noisy like May flies", referring to the constant buzzing of insects during the month of May in Japan.
• と言われる (to iwareru) - means "it is said that".
• 季節 (kisetsu) - means "season".
• が (ga) - Subject particle.
• 嫌い (kirai) - means "to hate" or "to dislike".
• です (desu) - polite way of "being" or "being".

交渉は相手とのコミュニケーションの重要な要素です。

Koushou wa aite to no komyunikeeshon no juuyou na youso desu

Negotiations are an important factor in communicating with the other party.

• 交渉 - Negotiation
• は - Topic particle
• 相手 - partner/opponent
• と - connecting particle
• の - Possession particle
• コミュニケーション - Communication
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な - important
• 要素 - element
• です - Verb to be/estar

人を欺くことは悪いことです。

Hito wo azamuku koto wa warui koto desu

It's bad to deceive people.

• 人 - means "person" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 欺く - verb meaning "to deceive" or "to delude" in Japanese.
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese.
• 悪い - adjective that means "bad" or "evil" in Japanese.
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a statement.

人と人を隔てる壁を取り払おう。

Hito to hito o hedateru kabe o toriharaou

Let's remove the barriers that separate people.

Let's remove the wall that separates people.

• 人 - means "person" in Japanese.
• と - is a linking particle in Japanese, which indicates that something is being connected to something else.
• 隔てる - is a Japanese verb meaning "to separate" or "to divide".
• 壁 - means "wall" in Japanese.
• を - is an object particle in Japanese, which indicates that the verb is being applied to the object.
• 取り払おう - is a Japanese verb meaning "to remove" or "to eliminate".

「人類の文明の起源はどこにあるのか？」

Jinrui no bunmei no kigen wa doko ni aru no ka?

Where is the origin of human civilization?

• 人類 - "human race"
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• 文明 - It means "civilization" in Japanese.
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• 起源 - means "origin" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is the subject of the sentence.
• どこ - means "where" in Japanese.
• に - location particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is the place where something is.
• ある - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates the existence of something.
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the next term is owned by the previous one.
• か - interrogative particle in Japanese, which indicates a question.
• ？ - punctuation mark in Japanese that indicates a question.

今年の年鑑はとても素晴らしいです。

Kotoshi no nenkan wa totemo subarashii desu

This year's annual look is very wonderful.

• 今年の - This year
• 年鑑 - directory
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 素晴らしい - amazing
• です - verb to be in the polite form

今日の試合はとても激しかった。

Kyou no shiai wa totemo hageshikatta

Today's match was very intense.

• 今日の - of today
• 試合 - "game"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 激しかった - "intense"

今日の気温はどのくらいですか？

Kyō no kion wa dono kurai desu ka?

What is the temperature today?

What is the temperature today?

• 今日の気温 - "Today's temperature"
• は - Topic particle
• どのくらい - "how much"
• ですか - Interrogative particle

今週末に開催されるイベントに参加する予定です。

Konnshūmatsu ni kaisai sareru ibento ni sanka suru yotei desu

We plan to participate in events to be held this weekend.

• 今週末に開催される - event to be held this weekend
• イベント - event
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of an action
• 参加する - participate
• 予定です - I plan to do

他人を尊重することが大切です。

Tajin wo sonchou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to respect others.

• 他人 - means "other people"
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 尊重する - means "respect"
• こと - abstract noun that indicates an action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - means "important"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form