Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
The particle ‘と’ (to) is primarily used to mean ‘and’ when listing nouns or ‘with’ when indicating accompaniment.
🎯 Primary Function
To connect nouns in an exhaustive list or to indicate accompaniment in an action.
📋 Grammar Structure
Noun + と + Noun / Noun (Person) + と + Verb
Not applicable (to connects nouns only)
Not applicable (to connects nouns only)
Not applicable (to does not conjugate)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Commonly used in both formal and neutral speech to clearly list items.
Informal Situations
Used frequently in casual conversation when talking about friends, food, or activities.
Written Language
Standard way to link nouns in sentences.
Spoken Language
Essential for everyday communication.
💡 Common Applications
Connecting Nouns (And)
Used to list multiple nouns. It implies the list is complete.
Example: コーヒーと紅茶 (Coffee and tea)
Accompaniment (With)
Used to indicate the person or entity with whom an action is performed.
Example: 家族と住んでいます (I live with my family)
Frequency
Very High
Difficulty
N5 (Beginner)
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
パンと牛乳を買いました。
Furigana: パンとぎゅうにゅうをかいました。
Romaji: Pan to gyūnyū o kaimashita.
English: I bought bread and milk.
Example #2
友達と公園へ行きました。
Furigana: ともだちとこうえんへいきました。
Romaji: Tomodachi to kōen e ikimashita.
English: I went to the park with a friend.
Example #3
父と母は家にいます。
Furigana: ちちはははうちにいます。
Romaji: Chichi to haha wa uchi ni imasu.
English: My father and mother are at home.
Example #4
田中さんと昼ご飯を食べます。
Furigana: たなかさんとひるごはんをたべます。
Romaji: Tanaka-san to hirugohan o tabemasu.
English: I will eat lunch with Mr. Tanaka.
Example #5
ペンとノートがあります。
Furigana: ペンとノートがあります。
Romaji: Pen to nōto ga arimasu.
English: I have a pen and a notebook.
Example #6
兄と勉強しました。
Furigana: あにとべんきょうしました。
Romaji: Ani to benkyō shimashita.
English: I studied with my older brother.
Example #7
来年、家族と日本へ行きます。
Furigana: らいねん、かぞくとにほんへいきます。
Romaji: Rainen, kazoku to Nihon e ikimasu.
English: I am going to Japan with my family next year.
Example #8
りんごとみかんを買いました。
Furigana: りんごとみかんをかいました。
Romaji: Ringo to mikan o kaimashita.
English: I bought an apple and an orange.
Example #9
彼女と映画を見ました。
Furigana: かのじょとえいがをみました。
Romaji: Kanojo to eiga o mimashita.
English: I watched a movie with my girlfriend.
Example #10
猫と犬はかわいいです。
Furigana: ねこといぬはかわいいです。
Romaji: Neko to inu wa kawaii desu.
English: Cats and dogs are cute.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Exhaustive Listing
When using ‘to’, it implies that only the items mentioned exist in that context.
Example: 机の上に本とペンがあります。
Accompaniment needs a partner
If you are doing something alone, you don’t use ‘to’; you use ‘hitori de’. ‘To’ requires another person.
Example: 一人で行きます (I go alone) vs 友達と行きます (I go with a friend)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using ‘to’ for an incomplete list.
✅ パンや卵 (Pan ya tamago)
‘To’ is for a complete list. Use ‘ya’ if there are other items you aren’t mentioning.
❌ きれいと静か (Kirei to shizuka)
✅ きれいで、静かです (Kirei de, shizuka desu)
‘To’ cannot connect adjectives. Use the ‘te-form’ of adjectives instead.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: The particle itself is neutral and used across all politeness levels (Desu/Masu and casual).
Social Situations: Used when introducing people you are with or describing items you possess/bought.
Regional Variations: Standard across Japan.
🔍 Subtle Differences
と (to) vs や (ya)
‘To’ is a complete list; ‘ya’ is an incomplete list (and others).
When to use: Use ‘to’ when you have exactly two or three items and that’s it.
と (to) vs に (ni)
‘To’ implies a mutual action/accompaniment; ‘ni’ can imply a target.
When to use: Use ‘to’ for ‘with’ someone.
📝 Conjugation Notes
The particle ‘と’ does not conjugate. It always follows the noun directly.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
It is a short, flat sound. Avoid elongating it like ‘too’.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘To’ as a ‘Total’ list (And) or ‘Together’ with someone (With). Both start with ‘T’.
Other Grammar
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