What does the particle と (to) mean?

と (to) has two main uses at the JLPT N5 level:

1. “And” (listing nouns): りんごとバナナを買いました。(I bought apples and bananas.)
2. “With” (doing something together): 友達と日本に行きます。(I’m going to Japan with a friend.)

と vs や: と lists everything (complete list). や gives examples (A, B, and so on): りんごやバナナ (apples, bananas, etc.).

Here comes another Japanese particle!

Have you ever wanted to make a list of things?
Like groceries you need to buy at the supermarket… or all the exciting things you want to do on your trip to Japan.

Or maybe you want to talk about doing something fun with someone,
like traveling with your family, studying Japanese with friends.

In Japanese, when you want to say “and” (connecting things) or “with” (doing something together), the magic particle you need is と (to)!

It’s small, but super handy, you’ll use it whenever you talk about people, food, or plans that go together.

Shall we dive in?

や (ya) → “A, B, etc.”

りんごやバナナをかいました。
ringo ya banana wo kaimashita.
I bought apples, bananas, and so on.

💡 Note: Using や gives the nuance that you also bought other things not listed.

Difference:
と = specific list (only those things)
や = open list (and possibly other things too)

トマトとナスを 買います。
とまととなすをかいます。
tomato to nasu wo kaimasu.
I buy tomatoes and eggplants.

親友と旅行します。
しんゆうとりょこうします。
shinyuu to ryokou shimasu.
I travel with my best friend.

チーズケーキとこうちゃ、 お願いします。
ちーずけーきとこうちゃ、おねがいします。
chiizukeeki to koucha, onegaishimasu.
Cheesecake and black tea, please.

今週のバイトのシフトは、 今日とあさって！
こんしゅうのばいとのしふとは、きょうとあさって！
konshuu no baito no shifuto ha, kyou to asatte!
My part-time job shifts this week are today and the day after tomorrow!

これと、あのかべにかかってるやつ、 見せてください。
これと、あのかべにかかってるやつ、みせてください。
kore to, ano kabe ni kakatte iru yatsu, misete kudasai.
Please show me this one and that thing hanging on the wall.

クラスメートとゲームセンター へ 行きます。
くらすめーととげーむせんたーへいきます。
kurasumeeto to geemu sentaa he ikimasu.
I’m going to the game center with my classmates.

<Conversation>
A: だれとUSJ に 行く の？
だれとUSJにいくの？
dare to USJ ni iku no?
Who are you going to Universal Studios Japan with?

B: のび太くんとひかりちゃんと！
のびたくんとひかりちゃんと！
Nobita-kun to, Hikari-chan to!
With Nobita and Hikari!

💡Tip: You can connect more than two nouns by stacking と!
東京と北海道と大阪へ いきます。
とうきょうとほっかいどうとおおさかへいきます。
Toukyou to Hokkaidou to Osaka he ikimasu.
I will go to Tokyo, Hokkaido, and Osaka.

• Grammar Point: と (to)
• JLPT Level: N5
• Meaning: “and” (to connect two or more nouns) , “with” (to express doing something together with someone)
• Quick Explanation: と is like a little piece of glue.
  It connects two or more nouns (A and B).
  It also shows when you do something with someone (Person with Action).

So that’s how we use と in Japanese!
It’s short, but you’ll hear it every single day, whether it’s connecting things or sharing moments with people.

わたしといっしょに楽しく べんきょうできてますか？
わたしといっしょにたのしくべんきょうできてますか？
watashi to issho ni tanoshiku benkyou dekite masu ka?
Are you having fun studying together with me?

Now it’s your turn, try making your own sentences with と.
Who would you like to do something with, or what foods would you order and enjoy together?

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

Get Hikari's JLPT Mock Exams & Preparation Lessons!

Whether you are studying to pass the JLPT or looking for a challenge in your learning journey, these courses are perfect for you!