Japanese Particle と (to)
Master “And” Connections and Quotations with Comprehensive Examples
Table of Contents
1. Basic Concept of と (to)
と (to) is a versatile Japanese particle with three main functions:
1. Conjunction – connects nouns like “and”
2. Quotation Marker – marks direct/indirect speech
3. Conditional – expresses “when/if” in certain contexts
Think of と as a precise connector that links things together definitively and completely.
2. Conjunction Usage (“And”)
Pattern: [Noun A] と [Noun B] と [Noun C]
と connects nouns in a complete, exhaustive list.
Basic Connections
ぱん と みず を かいます。
Pan to mizu o kaimasu.
I buy bread and water.
ははと ちち と わたし
Haha to chichi to watashi
Mother, father, and I
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| ほん と えんぴつ | Hon to enpitsu | Book and pencil | Objects |
| いぬ と ねこ と とり | Inu to neko to tori | Dog, cat, and bird | Animals |
| げつようび と かようび | Getsuyoubi to kayoubi | Monday and Tuesday | Days |
| あか と あお と きいろ | Aka to ao to kiiro | Red, blue, and yellow | Colors |
People and Relationships
わたし は ともだち と えいが を みます。
Watashi wa tomodachi to eiga o mimasu.
I watch a movie with a friend.
3. Quotation Usage
Pattern: “[Quote]” と [Reporting Verb]
と marks direct quotations and reported speech.
Direct Quotations
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Quote Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 「はい」と いいました。 | “Hai” to iimashita. | I said “Yes.” | Direct speech |
| 「ありがとう」と いいました。 | “Arigatou” to iimashita. | I said “Thank you.” | Direct speech |
| せんせい は 「べんきょうしなさい」と いいました。 | Sensei wa “benkyou shinasai” to iimashita. | The teacher said “Study!” | Command |
| ははは 「おかえり」と いいました。 | Haha wa “okaeri” to iimashita. | Mother said “Welcome home.” | Greeting |
Indirect/Reported Speech
あめ が ふる と おもいます。
Ame ga furu to omoimasu.
I think that it will rain.
にほんご は むずかしい と ききました。
Nihongo wa muzukashii to kikimashita.
I heard that Japanese is difficult.
Common Quotation Verbs
| Verb (Japanese) | Romaji | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| いいます | iimasu | say | 「こんにちは」と いいます |
| おもいます | omoimasu | think | あつい と おもいます |
| ききます | kikimasu | hear | たいへん と ききました |
| かきます | kakimasu | write | 「すみません」と かきます |
4. Conditional Usage (“When/If”)
Pattern: [Condition] と [Result]
と can express natural consequences or habitual actions.
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Condition Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| あつい と まど を あけます。 | Atsui to mado o akemasu. | When it’s hot, I open the window. | Habitual action |
| みぎ に まがる と えき が あります。 | Migi ni magaru to eki ga arimasu. | If you turn right, there’s a station. | Natural consequence |
| はる に なる と さくら が さきます。 | Haru ni naru to sakura ga sakimasu. | When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom. | Seasonal pattern |
| ボタン を おす と でんき が つきます。 | Botan o osu to denki ga tsukimasu. | When you press the button, the light turns on. | Cause and effect |
5. Comprehensive Example Sentences
| Japanese (Hiragana) | Romaji | English Translation | Usage Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| りんご と みかん を かいます。 | Ringo to mikan o kaimasu. | I buy apples and oranges. | Conjunction |
| 「おはよう」と いいました。 | “Ohayou” to iimashita. | I said “Good morning.” | Direct quote |
| あめ が ふる と かさ を もちます。 | Ame ga furu to kasa o mochimasu. | When it rains, I carry an umbrella. | Conditional |
| ともだち と こうえん で あそびます。 | Tomodachi to kouen de asobimasu. | I play with friends in the park. | Accompaniment |
| にほん は きれい と おもいます。 | Nihon wa kirei to omoimasu. | I think Japan is beautiful. | Indirect quote |
| コーヒー と ケーキ を ちゅうもんします。 | Koohii to keeki o chuumon shimasu. | I order coffee and cake. | Conjunction |
| せんせい は 「しずか に」と いいました。 | Sensei wa “shizuka ni” to iimashita. | The teacher said “Be quiet.” | Direct quote |
| つかれる と よく ねます。 | Tsukareru to yoku nemasu. | When I’m tired, I sleep well. | Conditional |
| かぞく と しょくじ を します。 | Kazoku to shokuji o shimasu. | I have meals with my family. | Accompaniment |
| あした は いそがしい と ききました。 | Ashita wa isogashii to kikimashita. | I heard that tomorrow will be busy. | Indirect quote |
6. と vs Other Conjunctions – Key Differences
と = complete, exhaustive list
や = partial list, “and so on”
それに = “moreover, in addition”
そして = “and then” (sequential)
| Particle/Word | Function | Example | Translation | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| と | Complete list | りんご と みかん Ringo to mikan | Apples and oranges (only these) | All items mentioned |
| や | Partial list | りんご や みかん Ringo ya mikan | Apples, oranges, etc. | There are other items |
| それに | Addition | やすい です。それに おいしい です。 | It’s cheap. Moreover, it’s delicious. | Adds information |
| そして | Sequence | かいもの を します。そして うち に かえります。 | I go shopping. Then I go home. | Sequential actions |
7. Advanced Usage Patterns
Named Things and Expressions
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| この ほん は 「あんぜん」と いう ほん です。 | Kono hon wa “anzen” to iu hon desu. | This book is called “Safety.” | Naming/calling something |
| にほんご で 「ありがとう」と いいます。 | Nihongo de “arigatou” to iimasu. | In Japanese, we say “arigatou.” | How to say something |
Emotional Responses and Sounds
いぬ は 「わんわん」と なきます。
Inu wa “wanwan” to nakimasu.
Dogs bark “woof woof.”
かのじょ は 「きゃー」と さけびました。
Kanojo wa “kyaa” to sakebimashita.
She screamed “Kyaa!”
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| わたし と ははと ちち | わたし と はは と ちち | Space と particles properly |
| りんご、みかん と ばなな | りんご と みかん と ばなな | Use と for all connections, not mixing with commas |
| 「はい」 いいました。 | 「はい」と いいました。 | Don’t forget と after quotations |
| あめ ふる と かさ を もちます。 | あめ が ふる と かさ を もちます。 | Don’t omit が in conditional clauses |
| ともだち で えいが を みます。 | ともだち と えいが を みます。 | Use と for “with someone”, not で |
Congratulations!
You’ve completed the comprehensive guide to the Japanese particle と (to). Practice with different connections, quotations, and conditions to master this versatile grammar point!
と (to) Particle Quiz
Test Your Knowledge of “And” and Quotations
Exercise 1: Basic Conjunction
How do you say “I buy bread and water”?
Explanation: と connects items in a complete, exhaustive list – exactly these items and no others.
Exercise 2: Direct Quotation
Complete: I said “Yes.” 「はい」___ いいました。
Explanation: と marks direct quotations – what was actually said in quotes.
Exercise 3: と vs や
Which suggests a complete list with no other items?
Explanation: と means “only these items,” while や means “these items and others” (partial list).
Exercise 4: Indirect Speech
What does “あめ が ふる と おもいます” mean?
Explanation: と marks indirect speech/reported thoughts – what someone thinks or believes.
Exercise 5: Accompaniment
Complete: “I watch a movie with friends.” ともだち ___ えいが を みます。
Explanation: と marks accompaniment – doing something together WITH someone.
Exercise 6: Conditional Usage
What does “あつい と まど を あけます” mean?
Explanation: と can express habitual actions or natural consequences – “when X happens, Y happens.”
Exercise 7: Multiple Items
How do you list “dog, cat, and bird” completely?
Explanation: Use と between each item for a complete list. Don’t mix Japanese と with English commas.
Exercise 8: Quotation Verbs
Which verb commonly follows quotations with と?
Explanation: Common quotation verbs include いいます (say), おもいます (think), ききます (hear), かきます (write).
Exercise 9: Animal Sounds
How do you say “Dogs bark ‘woof woof'”?
Explanation: と marks sounds, onomatopoeia, and what something sounds like.
Exercise 10: Common Mistake
Which sentence is WRONG?
Explanation: Never forget と after quotations. Always use quotation と verb pattern.
Exercise 11: Named Things
What does “この ほん は 「あんぜん」と いう ほん です” mean?
Explanation: と いう means “called” or “named” – how something is referred to or titled.
Exercise 12: Context Understanding
What are the three main functions of と?
Explanation: と connects things (and), marks quotes (said), and expresses natural consequences (when/if).
How did you do?
Check your answers by selecting options above. Each correct answer will show in green!
