Understanding the と (to) Particle in Japanese – Complete Guide

The と (to) particle is a versatile particle in Japanese. It is commonly used to indicate “and”, quotations, with someone, and sometimes conditional statements. Learning と helps learners connect ideas, report speech, and express relationships naturally in Japanese sentences.

1. と Means “And” (Connecting Nouns)

と can link two or more nouns together, meaning “and.”

Examples:

りんごとみかんをたべます。 — I eat apples and oranges.

ともだちとこうえんへいきます。 — I go to the park with a friend.

ねこといぬがいます。 — There is a cat and a dog.

2. と Used with “With” (Companionship)

と can indicate togetherness or companionship.

Examples:

ともだちとべんきょうします。 — I study with a friend.

かぞくとりょこうします。 — I travel with my family.

いぬとさんぽします。 — I walk with a dog.

3. と for Quotation / Reported Speech

と is used to mark what someone says, thinks, or feels.

Examples:

せんせいは「がんばって」といいました。 — The teacher said, “Do your best.”

わたしは「うれしい」とおもいます。 — I think, “I’m happy.”

かれはいくといった。 — He said he would go.

4. と in Conditional / If Clauses

と can indicate a natural consequence, often translated as “if/when”.

Examples:

まどをあけるとかぜがはいります。 — If you open the window, the wind comes in.

ボタンをおすとでんきがつきます。 — When you press the button, the light turns on.

あさおきるとあさごはんをたべます。 — When I wake up, I eat breakfast.

5. と vs や

と = lists items completely (all items included)

や = lists some items (partial list, “and so on”)

Examples:

りんごとみかん — apples and oranges (all)

りんごやみかん — apples, oranges, and so on (some)

Conclusion

The と (to) particle is essential in Japanese for connecting nouns, expressing companionship, reporting speech, and forming conditional statements. Mastering と helps learners make clear, natural, and precise sentences in everyday Japanese.

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