と

Meanings

Conditional use: marks a natural or inevitable consequence. Often used with 〜と, followed by a result that is not a command, request, or volitional expression.

春はるになると、桜さくらが咲さきます。
When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
急いそがないと、遅ち刻こくするよ。
If you don't hurry, you'll be late.

particle, conjunction

and

Exhaustive listing: connects two or more nouns, implying a complete set. Similar to a complete 'and' list.

机つくえの上うえに本ほんとペンがあります。
There is a book and a pen on the desk.

particle

with

Marks a companion or partner in an action. Used with verbs like 会う, 話す, 遊ぶ, 結婚する.

友とも達だちと映えい画がを見みに行いった。
I went to see a movie with my friend.

particle

that (quotative)

Quotative particle: marks the content of speech, thought, or naming. Often used with verbs like 言う, 思う, 考える, or in constructions like 〜という.

彼かれは「明日あした来くる」と言いった。
He said, "I'll come tomorrow."
日本にほんに行いきたいと思おもう。
I think I want to go to Japan.

noun

promoted pawn (shogi)

abbreviationshogi

Abbreviation of と金 (tokin). A promoted pawn in shogi that moves like a gold general.

Usage patterns

〈動どう詞し〉と、〈事こと〉when/if X happens, Y naturally follows
春はるになると、桜さくらが咲さく。
When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
〈物もの〉と〈物もの〉とX and Y (a complete list)
りんごとみかんを買かった。
I bought apples and mandarins.
〈人ひと〉と〈動どう詞し〉to do something together with someone
友とも達だちと映えい画がを見みた。
I watched a movie with a friend.
〈事こと〉と思おもうto think that ...
彼かれはもう来こないと思おもう。
I think he won't come anymore.
〈事こと〉と言いうto say that ...
彼かれは行いきたいと言いった。
He said he wanted to go.

Grammar

Related words· 8

ば sense 1
Conditional ば is more hypothetical and can be used with volitional expressions, unlike と which implies a natural or inevitable result.
や sense 2
Listing particle や implies an incomplete list ('and such'), whereas と gives an exhaustive list.
たら sense 1
Conditional たら is more flexible and can be used for one-time events and requests, while と is limited to habitual or inevitable consequences.
アンド
と is the ordinary Japanese particle for 'and' between nouns, while ＆ is a borrowed symbol used mainly in titles, brand names, or labels.

Show 4 more

て
と is used for exhaustive listing ('and') or a conditional ('if/when'), while て links two clauses more loosely for a simple sequence.
及およびN1
と is the everyday, all-purpose conjunction for listing nouns, while 及び is a formal written equivalent used in official or legal contexts.
とは
と is the plain quoting/accompaniment particle, while とは adds emphasis, contrast, or a definitional nuance on top of that basic function.
ならN1
と describes an inevitable or automatic result of a condition, whereas なら expresses a hypothetical case based on the speaker's assumption.

Politeness

ってplain
と is the neutral/formal quoting particle used in written or polite speech, while って is its casual contraction used in everyday conversation.

Don't confuse with

兼けん
と is a plain listing particle that joins two separate items, whereas 兼 indicates that a single entity performs both functions simultaneously, as in 会議室兼倉庫 (meeting room cum storage room).

Written forms

とUsage100%
Kana-only particle and conjunction; no kanji spelling is used.
トUsage<1%

Etymology

The particle と is native Japanese, with its conditional, listing, and quotative uses all deriving from the same ancient particle. The shogi sense is an abbreviation of と金 (tokin). The Kyushu dialect question marker is a regional variant of the sentence-final particle と.