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:

驚くことが好きです。

Odoroku koto ga suki desu

I like to be surprised.

I like surprise.

• 驚く (odoku) - means "to surprise" or "to shock"
• こと (koto) - means "thing" or "subject"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - means "like" or "appreciate"
• です (desu) - copulative verb that indicates to be or to be

すっと立ち上がった。

Sutto tachiagatta

I got up quickly.

• Input - - すっと立ち上がった。
• Output - -
• <ul> - - indicates the start of an unordered list.
• <li> - - indicates a list item.
• <strong> - - indicates that the text should be displayed in bold.
• Input - - すっと立ち上がった。 - the Japanese text that will be displayed.
• </li> - - indicates the end of a list item.
• </ul> - - indicates the end of the unordered list.

このプロジェクトのテーマは何ですか？

Kono purojekuto no tēma wa nan desu ka?

What is the theme of this project?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• プロジェクト - noun meaning "project"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• テーマ - noun meaning "theme"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• ですか - polite way to ask in Japanese

この部屋は整然としている。

Kono heya wa seizen to shite iru

This room is organized.

This room is organic.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 整然としている - compound verb that means "to be organized" or "to be tidy"

この襟元のデザインがとても素敵ですね。

Kono eri moto no dezain ga totemo suteki desu ne

The design of this neck is very good.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 襟元 - noun meaning "collar"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• デザイン - noun that means "design"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 素敵 - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "nice"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation

ジーパンを履くとカッコいい。

Jiipan wo haku to kakkoi

It's nice to use jeans.

• ジーパン - jeans
• を - partícula que indica o objeto da frase
• 履く - to wear (bottoms)
• と - partícula que indica uma condição ou situação
• カッコいい - cool, stylish

てっきり彼女は来ると思っていた。

Tekkiri kanojo wa kuru to omotte ita

I thought she would surely come.

She thought it would.

• てっきり - adverb indicating a strong conviction or expectation
• 彼女 - noun meaning "girlfriend" or "her"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 来る - verb meaning "to come" or "to arrive"
• と - particle indicating a direct or indirect quotation
• 思っていた - compound verb meaning "to think" or "to believe"

危機感を持って行動することが大切です。

Kikikan wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to act with a sense of crisis.

• 危機感 - feeling of crisis or danger
• を - direct object particle
• 持って - verb 持つ (to have, hold) in the gerund
• 行動 - action, behavior
• する - verb する (to do) in the infinitive
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb です (to be, to be) in the present tense

割引きがあると嬉しいです。

Waribiki ga aru to ureshii desu

I'm happy if there is a discount.

• 割引き - discount
• が - subject particle
• ある - verb "to exist"
• と - condition particle
• 嬉しい - adjective "happy"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

基礎を固めることが大切です。

Kiso wo katameru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to solidify the foundations.

It is important to solidify the foundation.

• 基礎 - means "foundation" or "base".
• を - object particle.
• 固める - verb meaning "to strengthen" or "to solidify".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• が - Subject particle.
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "valuable".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.