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:

私は毎日歩くことが好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi aruku koto ga suki desu

I like to walk every day.

I like to walk every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic marker in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 歩くこと (aruku koto) - means "to walk" in Japanese, with "koto" being a nominal suffix that turns the verb into a noun
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese, indicating that "walk" is the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - means "to like" in Japanese
• です (desu) - To be verb in Japanese, used to indicate the end of the sentence and politeness.

私は彼女に会うときはいつもどきどきしています。

Watashi wa kanojo ni au toki wa itsumo dokidoki shiteimasu

I always get anxious when I find her.

I always throb when I know it.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 彼女 (kanojo) - It means "she" or "girlfriend" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 会う (au) - verb that means "to find" or "to meet" in Japanese.
• とき (toki) - noun that means "time" or "moment" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• いつも (itsumo) - adverb that means "always" in Japanese
• どきどき (dokidoki) - onomatopoeia that represents the sound of a heart beating fast, used to express nervousness or anxiety in Japanese
• しています (shiteimasu) - present form of the verb "suru" which means "to do" in Japanese

私は高く跳ぶことができます。

Watashi wa takaku tobu koto ga dekimasu

I can jump high.

I can jump high.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 高く (takaku) - adverb that means "high" in Japanese
• 跳ぶ (tobu) - verb meaning "to jump" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - The word is "koto," which means "thing" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" in Japanese

私のコレクションはとても大切です。

Watashi no korekushon wa totemo taisetsu desu

My collection is very important.

• 私 - Personal pronoun "I" in Japanese
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• コレクション - "coleção" - collection
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "precious".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate formality and respect in communication

私は飛行機を操縦することができます。

Watashi wa hikouki wo soujuu suru koto ga dekimasu

I can fly a plane.

I can control the plane.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 飛行機 - noun "plane"
• を - direct object particle, indicating that "plane" is the direct object of the action
• 操縦する - verb "pilot"
• ことができます - expression that indicates the ability or possibility of doing something

私は新しい環境でまごつくことがあります。

Watashi wa atarashii kankyō de magotsuku koto ga arimasu

I get confused in new environments.

I can get rid of it in a new environment.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい - 新しい (atarashii)
• 環境 - Japanese noun that means "environment"
• で - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place
• まごつく - Japanese verb that means "to become confused."
• こと - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - Japanese verb that means "to exist"

私は賭けることが好きです。

Watashi wa kakeru koto ga suki desu

I like to bet.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 賭ける - Japanese verb meaning "to bet"
• こと - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き - Japanese adjective that means "like"
• です - Japanese linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私は毎日練習することで上達します。

Watashi wa mainichi renshuu suru koto de joutatsu shimasu

I improve by practicing every day.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 練習する - Japanese verb meaning "to practice"
• こと - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• で - Japanese particle that indicates the means or method used to perform the action, in this case, "practice"
• 上達します - Japanese verb meaning "improve" or "progress"

私は校庭で友達と遊びました。

Watashi wa kōtei de tomodachi to asobimashita

I played with my friends in the school courtyard.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 校庭 - Japanese noun that means "schoolyard"
• で - Japanese particle indicating the location where the action took place, in this case, "no pátio da escola" -> "in the school courtyard"
• 友達 - Japanese noun that means "friend(s)"
• と - Japanese particle that indicates company, in this case, "with friends"
• 遊びました - Japanese verb meaning "play/play", conjugated in the affirmative past

私は彼女の服装がとても素敵だと思います。

Watashi wa kanojo no fukusō ga totemo suteki da to omoimasu

I think her clothes are very beautiful.

I think her clothes are really cool.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 彼女 - Japanese noun meaning "she"
• の - Japanese particle that indicates possession, in this case, "hers."
• 服装 - Japanese noun meaning "clothing" or "clothes"
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "clothing"
• とても - Japanese adverb that means "very"
• 素敵 - Japanese adjective meaning "beautiful" or "cool"
• だ - Japanese verb that indicates the existence or identity of the subject, in this case, "is"
• と - Japanese particle that indicates a direct quotation of what was said or thought, in this case, "to think"
• 思います - Japanese verb that means "to think" or "to believe"