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:

錆びることは避けたいです。

Sabiru koto wa saketai desu

I want to avoid rust.

I want to avoid rusting.

• 錆びる - verb meaning "to rust"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 避けたい - verb in potential form meaning "want to avoid"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence

長々と話すのは疲れる。

Naganaga to hanasu no wa tsukareru

Talking for a long time is tiring.

It's tired to talk for a long time.

• 長々と - adverb meaning "for a long time"
• 話す - verb meaning "to speak"
• のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 疲れる - verb meaning "to tire"

間違えることは人間らしい。

Machigaeru koto wa ningen rashii

To err is human.

It seems human to make a mistake.

• 間違える - verb that means "to err"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 人間 - noun that means "human being"
• らしい - suffix that indicates "seems to be" or "characteristic of"

間隔が狭いところは人が集まるのを避けるべきです。

Makaku ga semai tokoro wa hito ga atsumaru no o sakkeru beki desu

You should avoid gathering people when the gap is narrow.

• 間隔 - space, interval
• が - subject particle
• 狭い - narrow, tight
• ところ - place
• は - Topic particle
• 人 - person
• が - subject particle
• 集まる - Meet, join
• のを - particle that indicates direct object
• 避ける - avoid
• べき - it should
• です - polite way to be or to stay

防犯意識を高めることが大切です。

Bouhan ishiki wo takameru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to increase crime prevention awareness.

It is important to increase safety awareness.

• 防犯意識 - security awareness
• を - object particle
• 高める - Increase, raise
• こと - abstract noun
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

防止することは重要です。

Bōshi suru koto wa jūyō desu

Prevention is important.

It is important to avoid it.

• 防止する - verb that means "to prevent"
• こと - noun that indicates "thing"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case "prevention"
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - verb to be in the present, indicating an affirmation

阻止することは重要です。

Soshi suru koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to prevent.

It is important to stop.

• 阻止する - verb that means "to prevent"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - verb that indicates the present and formality

限度を超えると危険です。

Gendo wo koeru to kiken desu

It is dangerous to exceed the limit.

It is dangerous if you exceed the limit.

• 限度 - limit
• を - object particle
• 超える - surpass
• と - Comparison particle
• 危険 - danger
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

食品は私たちの健康にとても重要です。

Shokuhin wa watashitachi no kenkou ni totemo juuyou desu

Food is very important for our health.

• 食品 - foods
• は - Topic particle
• 私たち - We
• の - Possessive particle
• 健康 - health
• に - Destination particle
• とても - Very
• 重要 - Important
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

飴を食べると幸せな気分になる。

Ame wo taberu to shiawase na kibun ni naru

Eating sweets makes you feel happy.

• 飴 - Japanese sweet in the shape of a ball or cylinder
• を - object particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• と - Comparison particle
• 幸せ - adjective "happy"
• な - suffix that transforms the adjective into a predicate
• 気分 - noun "feeling"
• に - target particle
• なる - verb "become"