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:

遊牧民は自然と共に生きる。

Yūbokumin wa shizen to tomo ni ikiru

Nomads live with nature.

• 遊牧民 - nomadic people
• は - Topic particle
• 自然 - Nature
• と - connecting particle
• 共に - Together
• 生きる - Live

遠慮することはない。

Enryo suru koto wa nai

There is no need to hesitate.

Do not be shy.

• 遠慮する - verb that means "hesitate" or "have reservations"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• ない - Negation of the verb "ある" which means "not to have"

適性を活かすことが大切です。

Tekisei wo ikasu koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to take advantage of your natural abilities.

It's important to take advantage of your aptitude.

• 適性 - ability or aptitude
• を - direct object particle
• 活かす - take advantage of or use
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important or valuable
• です - verb ser or estar in the polite form

適確な判断をすることが重要です。

Tekikaku na handan wo suru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to do accurate judgments.

It is important to make an appropriate decision.

• 適確な - I need, exact
• 判断をする - Making a decision, judging
• ことが - Particle indicating that the previous word is the subject of the sentence
• 重要です - is important

避けることができない問題がある。

Hikeru koto ga dekinai mondai ga aru

There is a problem that cannot be avoided.

There is an inevitable problem.

• 避ける - verb that means "to avoid"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できない - adjective that means "cannot be done"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• が - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

酒場で友達と楽しい時間を過ごしました。

Sakaba de tomodachi to tanoshii jikan wo sugoshimashita

I had fun with my friends at the bar.

• 酒場 (sakaba) - bar/pub
• で (de) - Article indicating the location where an action takes place.
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo(s)
• と (to) - partícula que indica "com"
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - divertido
• 時間 (jikan) - tempo/horas
• を (wo) - Article indicating the object of the action
• 過ごしました (sugoshimashita) - passou/teve (um bom tempo)

酸素は人間にとって必要不可欠な要素です。

Sanso wa ningen ni totte hitsuyōfukaketsu na yōso desu

Oxygen is an essential element for humans.

• 酸素 (sanso) - Oxygen
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人間 (ningen) - Human being
• にとって (ni totte) - For
• 必要不可欠 (hitsuyoufukaketsu) - Essential, indispensable
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 要素 (yousou) - Element
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

重視することが成功の鍵です。

Jūshi suru koto ga seikō no kagi desu

Valuing is the key to success.

Emphasis is the key to success.

• 重視すること - means "to give importance" or "to value".
• が - subject or emphasis particle.
• 成功 - means "success".
• の - Particle of possession or connection.
• 鍵 - means "key".
• です - verb "to be" in polite or formal form.

金曜日には友達と遊びに行く予定です。

Kin'yōbi ni wa tomodachi to asobi ni iku yotei desu

I have plans to go out with friends on Friday.

I plan to go play with my friends on Friday.

• 金曜日 - Friday
• には - time indication, "on Friday"
• 友達 - friends
• と - particle that indicates company, "with"
• 遊びに行く - go to have fun
• 予定 - plan, schedule
• です - verb ser/estar in the present, "is/is"

鉄片はとても鋭いです。

Teppeki wa totemo surudoi desu

Iron fragments are very sharp.

The iron part is very sharp.

• 鉄片 (tetsuhen) - piece of iron
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 鋭い (surudoi) - sharp
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present