The Japanese particle と is one of the most versatile and essential particles for learners. While it’s often first introduced with simple meanings like ‘and’ or ‘with’, its functions extend into the complex and nuanced worlds of quoting speech, reporting thoughts, and defining concepts. This comprehensive guide will cover all of its main uses, from the basic connecting particle to the advanced quotative particle.
Connecting Nouns: と as ‘And’
The most fundamental use of と is to create an exhaustive list of nouns, similar to ‘and’ in English. When used this way, と is placed after every noun in the list except for the last one. This implies that the list is complete.
Example 1: A Simple List
水曜日と土曜日
すいようびとどようび
Suiyōbi to doyōbi
Wednesday and Saturday
水曜日 (すいようび) = Wednesday
と = and
土曜日 (どようび) = Saturday
Example 2: A Longer List
餃子と手羽先と唐揚げをください。
ぎょうざとてばさきとからあげをください。
Gyōza to tebasaki to karaage o kudasai.
Gyoza, tebasaki, and karaage, please.
餃子 (ぎょうざ) = Gyoza (dumplings)
手羽先 (てばさき) = Chicken wings
唐揚げ (からあげ) = Fried chicken
を = (object marker)
ください = Please give me
Showing Involvement: と as ‘With’
When と follows a noun representing a person or living thing, it often means ‘with’. It indicates that an action is being performed jointly with someone else.
Example 1: Doing an Action Together
ムハンマドさんはサラさんと晩ご飯を食べました。
ムハンマドさんはサラさんとばんごはんをたべました。
Muhammad-san wa Sara-san to bangohan o tabemashita.
Mr. Muhammad ate dinner with Ms. Sarah.
サラさん (さらさん) = Ms. Sarah
と = with
晩ご飯 (ばんごはん) = Dinner
を = (object marker)
食べました (たべました) = ate
Example 2: Going Somewhere Together
はるとくんと音楽会に行きます。
はるとくんとおんがくかいにいきます。
Haruto-kun to ongakukai ni ikimasu.
I am going to a concert with Haruto.
はるとくん = Haruto
と = with
音楽会 (おんがくかい) = Concert
に = to (destination marker)
行きます (いきます) = to go
The Quotative Particle: Reporting Speech and Thoughts
Beyond connecting nouns, と has a crucial grammatical function as a quotative particle. It works like quotation marks in English, enclosing spoken words, internal thoughts, or even sounds.
Direct Quotation with と言う (to iu)
The most straightforward use is to report direct speech. The exact words someone said come before と, followed by a verb of speaking like 言う (iu), “to say.”
田中さんは「こんにちは」と言いました。
たなかさんは「こんにちは」といいました。
Tanaka-san wa “Konnichiwa” to iimashita.
Mr. Tanaka said, “Hello.”
「こんにちは」 = “Hello”
と = (quotative particle)
言いました (いいました) = said
Reporting Thoughts with と思う (to omou)
This same structure is used for internal thoughts with the verb 思う (omou), “to think.” This is the standard way to express opinions and beliefs in Japanese.
この映画は面白いと思います。
このえいがはおもしろいとおもいます。
Kono eiga wa omoshiroi to omoimasu.
I think this movie is interesting.
この映画 (このえいが) = This movie
は = (topic marker)
面白い (おもしろい) = Interesting
と = (quotative particle)
思います (おもいます) = to think
Cultural Note: Using 「～と思います」 is very common in Japanese. It softens a statement, presenting it as a personal opinion rather than an absolute fact. This is often preferred as it sounds more humble and less confrontational.
Defining and Naming with ～という (to iu)
The pattern XというY, literally “a Y called X,” is essential for introducing or defining things that may be unfamiliar to the listener.
「生きがい」という言葉を知っていますか。
「いきがい」ということばをしっていますか。
“Ikigai” to iu kotoba o shitte imasu ka.
Do you know the word “ikigai”?
生きがい (いきがい) = a reason for being; ikigai
という = called…
言葉 (ことば) = Word
を知っていますか (をしっていますか) = Do you know…?
Nuances and Advanced Usage
The Informal Particle: って (tte)
In casual, spoken Japanese, と is very often replaced by って (tte). It serves the exact same quotative function but signals informality.
明日パーティーに来るって言ってたよ。
あしたパーティーにくるっていってたよ。
Ashita pātī ni kuru tte itteta yo.
He/She said they’re coming to the party tomorrow.
来るって (くるって) = (casual for) 来ると言う (kuru to iu)
言ってた (いってた) = (casual for) 言っていました (itte imashita)
Quoting Sounds (Onomatopoeia)
A unique feature of Japanese is using と to “quote” sounds or states, especially with onomatopoeia.
ドアが「バン」と閉まった。
ドアが「バン」としまった。
Doa ga “ban” to shimatta.
The door closed with a “bang.”
ザーザー (zāzā) = Sound of heavy rain or rushing water
と = (adverbial particle, functions like a quote)
閉まった (しまった) = closed
Summary
The particle と is a multi-functional tool essential for fluency. Remember its key roles:
- As ‘And’: Connects nouns in a complete list (e.g., AとB).
- As ‘With’: Indicates joint action with another person or being (e.g., 友達と行く – to go with a friend).
- For Quoting Speech: Reports what was said, used with verbs like 言う (e.g., 「はい」と言った – said “yes”).
- For Reporting Thoughts: Expresses opinions and beliefs with verbs like 思う (e.g., 正しいと思う – I think it’s correct).
- For Defining: Used in the pattern XというY to mean “a Y called X.”
- Informal Version: って can replace the quotative と in casual conversation.
