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:

作業を始める前に計画を立てることが重要です。

Sagyō o hajimeru mae ni keikaku o tateru koto ga jūyō desu

It is important to do a plan before you start work.

It is important to plan before you start working.

• 作業 (sagyō) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 始める (hajimeru) - start
• 前に (mae ni) - before
• 計画 (keikaku) - plan
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 立てる (tateru) - make
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 重要 (jūyō) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

使用することは必要です。

Shiyō suru koto wa hitsuyō desu

It is necessary to use.

It is necessary to use it.

• 使用する - It means "to use" in Japanese.
• こと - means "thing" or "subject" in Japanese
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 必要 - means "necessary" in Japanese
• です - is a polite way of saying "to be" or "to be" in Japanese
• . - indicates the end of the sentence

使用人は会社にとって重要な存在です。

Shiyōnin wa kaisha ni totte jūyō na sonzai desu

Employees are an important presence for the company.

The servant is important to the company.

• 使用人 - person who uses or uses something
• 会社 - company
• にとって - for, in relation to
• 重要 - important
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• 存在 - Existence, presence
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

価格と品質が釣り合う商品を探しています。

Kakaku to hinshitsu ga tsuriau shouhin wo sagashiteimasu

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are in balance.

I'm looking for a product where price and quality are balanced.

• 価格 - (price)
• と - (e)
• 品質 - (quality)
• が - (subject particle)
• 釣り合う - (balance)
• 商品 - (product)
• を - (direct object particle)
• 探しています - (searching)

侮辱することは許されない。

Bujoku suru koto wa yurusarenai

Insult is not allowed.

• 侮辱する - insult
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 許されない - not allowed

便所にはトイレットペーパーが必要です。

Benjo ni wa toiretto peepaa ga hitsuyou desu

Toilet paper is needed for the bathroom.

• 便所 (benjo) - Restroom
• に (ni) - in
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• トイレットペーパー (toiretto peepaa) - toilet paper
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• です (desu) - verb ser/estar (polite form)

保険に入ることは大切です。

Hoken ni hairu koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to sign up for insurance.

It is important to get insurance.

• 保険 - Safe
• に - particle that indicates destination or direction
• 入る - enter, adhere
• こと - abstract noun, in this case, "the act of"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

保護は大切なことです。

Hogo wa taisetsu na koto desu

Protection is an important thing.

Protection is important.

• 保護 - Protection
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• こと - thing, subject
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

個人情報を守ることは大切です。

Kojin joho wo mamoru koto wa taisetsu desu

Protecting personal information is important.

It is important to protect personal information.

• 個人情報 - Personal information
• を - object particle
• 守る - protect
• こと - abstract noun, in this case, "action of protecting"
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

偖しくもあなたと出会えたことに感謝しています。

Sasuga ni anata to deaeta koto ni kansha shiteimasu

I am grateful to have met you.

• 偖しくも (ayashikumo) - adverb meaning "in a mysterious way"
• あなたと (anata to) - personal pronoun "you" followed by the particle "com"
• 出会えた (deatta) - verb "to find" in the past
• ことに (koto ni) - particle that indicates "in relation to"
• 感謝しています (kansha shiteimasu) - verb "thank" in the present