JLPT Guide/JLPT N5 Grammar/と

The Particle "To" text

Complete Listing

It connects only nouns and pronouns, never phrases and clauses. It translates into "and".

靴と帽子を買った｡ --- Kutsu to boushi o katta.--- I bought shoes and a hat.

英語と日本語を話します｡--- Eigo to nihongo o hanashimasu.--- I speak English and Japanese.

It indicates a comparison or contrast between the two nouns.
 * Contrast

猫と犬とどちらが好きですか｡---Neko to inu to dochira ga suki desu ka.--- Which do you like better, cats or dogs?


 * Accompaniment

It translates into "together, with".

友達と映画に行った｡---Tomodachi to eiga ni itta.--- I went to a movie with my friend.

由紀は来月一朗と結婚します｡---Yuki wa raigetsu Ichiro to kekkon shimasu.--- Yuki is going to marry Ichiro next month.


 * Change/Result

It is commonly used in the phrase "~ to naru （～となる）", and indicates that something reaches a goal or new state.

ついにオリンピックの開催の日となった｡---Tsuini orinpikku no kaisai no hi to natta.--- At last the opening day of the Olympics has come.

募金は全部で百万円となった｡---Bokin wa zenbu de hyakuman-en to natta.--- The total amount of donations reached one million yen.


 * Quotation

It is used before such verbs as "~ iu（～言う）", "~ omou（～思う）", "~ kiku （～聞く）", etc to introduce a clause or a phrase. It is normally preceded by a plain form of a verb.

彼は明日来るといった｡---Kare wa asu kuru to itta.--- He said that he will come tomorrow.

来年日本に行こうと思っている｡---Rainen nihon ni ikou to omotteiru.--- I am thinking of going to Japan next year.


 * Conditional

It is placed after a verb or an adjective to form a conditional. It translates into "as soon as," "when," "if," etc. A plain form is usually used before the particle "to".

仕事が終わるとすぐうちに帰った｡---Shigoto ga owaru to sugu uchi ni kaetta.--- I went home as soon as work was over.

あの店に行くとおいしいすしが食べられる｡---Ano mise ni iku to oishii sushi ga taberareru.--- If you go to that restaurant, you can have great sushi.


 * Sound Symbolism

It is used after onomatopoeic adverbs.

星がきらきらと輝いている｡---Hoshi ga kira kira to kagayaiteiru.--- The stars are twinkling.

子供立ちはバタバタと走り回った｡---Kodomotachi wa bata bata to hashirimawatta.--- The children ran around making lots of noise.