A1 Particles 13 min read Easy

Connecting Nouns: 'And' (と)

Use the particle と to link nouns in a complete, clearly defined list of items.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use the particle 'と' (to) to connect two nouns together like the English word 'and'.

  • Place 'と' between two nouns: {猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ} (Cat and dog).
  • It only connects nouns, not sentences or adjectives.
  • It implies an exhaustive list (A and B, and nothing else).
Noun A + と + Noun B

Overview

The Japanese particle と (pronounced to, with a high-low pitch accent) is a fundamental building block for connecting two or more nouns. At its most basic, と functions much like the English word "and," serving to list items or individuals together. However, a crucial distinction of と lies in its implication of exhaustiveness.

When you use と, you are presenting a complete and definitive list, asserting that only the mentioned items are relevant in that specific context.

This exhaustiveness is a core linguistic principle in Japanese when using と for enumeration. It tells your listener that the set of items you are discussing is closed and fully accounted for. For instance, if you say パン (pan, bread) と 牛乳 (gyūnyū, milk), you are explicitly stating that you are referring to bread and milk, and no other items.

Understanding this nuance is paramount, even at a beginner level, as it dictates when と is the appropriate particle to use versus other linking particles that imply incompleteness.

How This Grammar Works

Using と fundamentally establishes a relationship of inclusion between the listed nouns. It acts as a conjunctive particle, physically joining the nouns in a sequence. The primary function is to indicate that the items are grouped together, often sharing a common characteristic or being part of the same action or state.
Consider a simple scenario where you need to state that you have two distinct items. Instead of stating them separately, と allows for a concise and grammatically correct combination. For example, if you want to say "cat and dog," you would connect the nouns 猫 (neko, cat) and 犬 (inu, dog) with と, forming 猫と犬 (neko to inu).
This construction makes it clear that both entities are being discussed as a pair or a complete set within the given sentence.
The exhaustive nature of と implies a level of precision. When you list items with と, you are providing a definitive inventory. If someone asks what you bought, and you respond with 本とペンを買いました (Hon to pen o kaimashita, I bought a book and a pen), the listener understands that your purchases were limited to just the book and the pen.
This makes と highly suitable for situations requiring factual and precise enumeration, such as stating ingredients, listing participants, or specifying belongings.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation pattern for connecting nouns with と is straightforward and consistent. It involves placing と directly between each noun you wish to connect in your exhaustive list. The structure is as follows:
2
| Pattern | Example (Japanese) | Example (English) |
3
| :-------------- | :------------------------ | :------------------------ |
4
| Noun A + と + Noun B | 猫と犬 (neko to inu) | Cat and dog |
5
| Noun A + と + Noun B + と + Noun C | 本とペンと紙 (hon to pen to kami) | Book, pen, and paper |
6
When connecting only two nouns, the pattern is simply Noun A と Noun B. For lists comprising three or more nouns, と is typically placed after every noun except the final one. While grammatically permissible to include と after the very last noun (Noun A と Noun B と Noun C と), this usage is less common in natural speech unless for strong emphasis or a specific rhetorical effect. For A1 learners, it is safest to omit と after the final noun in a list.
7
Here are some practical examples of this formation:
8
コーヒーと紅茶 (kōhī to kōcha) – Coffee and black tea. (Connecting two items)
9
彼と彼女と友達 (kare to kanojo to tomodachi) – He, she, and a friend. (Connecting three people)
10
リンゴとバナナとオレンジ (ringo to banana to orenji) – Apple, banana, and orange. (Connecting three fruits)
11
The particle と itself does not change or conjugate, making its application highly predictable. You simply insert it as a connector between the nouns you intend to group comprehensively.

When To Use It

Use と when you need to present a complete, exhaustive list of two or more nouns that are related in some way or are the subject/object of the same action. This exhaustiveness is the defining characteristic.
  1. 1Listing concrete items: This is the most common use. If you are enumerating every single item relevant to your statement, と is your particle. For example, when grocery shopping, if you bought only apples and oranges, you would say: リンゴとオレンジを買いました。 (Ringo to orenji o kaimashita., I bought apples and oranges.) The implication here is that your purchases were exclusively these two fruits.
  1. 1Naming individuals or groups: When you are referring to a specific, complete group of people. If you are going out with only Tanaka-san and Sato-san, you would use と:
  • 田中さんと佐藤さんと行きます。 (Tanaka-san to Sato-san to ikimasu., I'm going with Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Sato.)
  1. 1Specifying ingredients or components: In recipes or descriptions, when you list all the necessary parts. If a dish only uses meat and vegetables:
  • この料理は肉と野菜を使います。 (Kono ryōri wa niku to yasai o tsukaimasu., This dish uses meat and vegetables.)
  1. 1Mentioning two things that naturally go together or form a pair: Many concepts in Japanese are habitually paired with と because they are often considered as a complete unit.
  • 箸とスプーン (hashi to supūn) – Chopsticks and spoon.
  • 右と左 (migi to hidari) – Right and left.
  1. 1Indicating a definite schedule or plan: When you are clearly stating all the destinations or activities you will undertake. If your trip consists only of Kyoto and Nara:
  • 京都と奈良に行きます。 (Kyōto to Nara ni ikimasu., I will go to Kyoto and Nara.)
In all these cases, the implicit meaning conveyed by と is that the list is finite and entirely specified. It’s a particle of certainty and completion within a given context, making it suitable for factual statements and precise information exchange.

When Not To Use It

It is equally important to understand when と is inappropriate, primarily because its function is strictly limited to connecting nouns in an exhaustive list. Misusing と can lead to unnatural-sounding sentences or, more critically, convey an unintended meaning.
  1. 1Connecting verbs or adjectives: This is perhaps the most common mistake for beginners. と cannot connect verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses. It is a noun-connecting particle only. To link actions or descriptive states, Japanese employs different grammatical structures, such as the て-form (te-form) for verbs and て (te) for adjectives.
  • Incorrect: 学校に行きますと勉強します。 (Intended: I go to school and study.)
  • Correct: 学校に行って、勉強します。 (Gakkō ni itte, benkyō shimasu., I go to school and study.)
  • Incorrect: この部屋は広いですと明るいです。 (Intended: This room is spacious and bright.)
  • Correct: この部屋は広くて明るいです。 (Kono heya wa hirokute akarui desu., This room is spacious and bright.)
  1. 1Indicating an incomplete list: If you intend to provide examples or a partial list, implying there are other unmentioned items, と is the wrong choice. Using と would suggest that the list is exhaustive, which would be factually incorrect for an incomplete enumeration. For such situations, particles like や (ya) or など (nado) are used (covered in Contrast With Similar Patterns).
  • Incorrect: 私の趣味は読書とゲームです。 (If you have many other hobbies, this implies only reading and gaming.)
  • Correct (for an incomplete list): 私の趣味は読書やゲームなどです。 (Watashi no shumi wa dokusho ya gēmu nado desu., My hobbies are reading, gaming, and so on.)
  1. 1Expressing "with" in the sense of accompaniment for living beings: While と can mean "with" in certain contexts (like A と B meaning A and B), it's typically not used for indicating accompaniment with a person where you actively do something together. For that, と often appears in conjunction with the verb 一緒に (issho ni, together) or as a direct object marker with と marking the partner, but the simple Noun と Verb often implies "and" rather than "with someone."
  • 友達と映画を見ました。 (Tomodachi to eiga o mimashita., I watched a movie with a friend.) – Here, と acts as a partner marker rather than a simple conjunction for the nouns themselves, which is a different grammatical function of と that A1 learners should typically distinguish.
  1. 1When "and" functions as "then" or "consequently": If the English "and" implies a sequence of events or a result, と is not used. Other structures, like the て-form or conditional forms like と (conditional) or ば (ba), are necessary.
  • Incorrect: ボタンを押すと電気がつきました。 (Intended: I pressed the button and the light turned on.) – This と is actually a conditional to, not the noun-connecting to. The meaning is "When I pressed the button, the light turned on."
  • Correct for sequencing actions: ボタンを押して、電気がつきました。 (Botan o oshite, denki ga tsukimashita., I pressed the button, and the light turned on.)
By carefully observing these limitations, you can avoid common pitfalls and use と accurately, ensuring your Japanese sounds natural and conveys your intended meaning precisely.

Common Mistakes

Beginners often encounter specific difficulties when mastering the particle と. Understanding these common errors and their underlying reasons can significantly accelerate your learning.
  1. 1Using と to connect verbs or adjectives: As highlighted in When Not To Use It, と is exclusively for nouns. Japanese has distinct grammatical structures for linking verbs and adjectives. Attempting to use と for these parts of speech will result in ungrammatical sentences.
  • Error: 私はテレビを見ますとご飯を食べます。 (I watch TV and eat rice.)
  • Correction: 私はテレビを見て、ご飯を食べます。 (Watashi wa terebi o mite, gohan o tabemasu., I watch TV and eat rice.) – Here, the て-form of 見る (miru, to watch) (見て) is used to connect the actions.
  1. 1Confusing と with や for incomplete lists: This is a subtle but critical distinction. と signals an exhaustive list. If you use と when you mean to give a partial list or examples, you misrepresent the completeness of the information. For instance, if you mention ペンと鉛筆 (pen to enpitsu, pen and pencil) as items in your bag, but you also have a notebook, eraser, and ruler, using と would be inaccurate. The listener would assume you only have a pen and pencil.
  • Error: 私のカバンにはペンと鉛筆があります。 (If you have other items, this is misleading.)
  • Correction: 私のカバンにはペンや鉛筆などがあります。 (Watashi no kaban ni wa pen ya enpitsu nado ga arimasu., In my bag, there are pens, pencils, and so on.) – The use of や (ya) and など (nado) clarifies the list is not exhaustive.
  1. 1Omitting と between every item in a long list (except the last): Unlike English where "and" is often reserved for the final two items, Japanese typically requires と between every noun in an と-connected list. While sometimes dropped in very casual speech or specific literary styles, for A1 learners, maintaining this pattern ensures clarity and correctness.
  • Error: 机の上に本、ペン、紙があります。 (On the desk, there are books, pens, paper.) – This sounds like a simple enumeration without the clear and connection.
  • Correction: 机の上に本とペンと紙があります。 (Tsukue no ue ni hon to pen to kami ga arimasu., On the desk, there are books, pens, and paper.)
  1. 1Overlooking other functions of と: While this lesson focuses on と as a noun connector, と has several other grammatical roles, such as forming quotations (～と言う, ～to iu, to say that ~) or indicating conditional relationships (～と、～, ～to, ～, when/if ~ then ~). Conflating these different functions can cause confusion. For now, focus on its role as an exhaustive noun connector.
By consciously practicing the correct application and being aware of these common pitfalls, you can build a solid foundation for using と effectively and accurately.

Common Collocations

Certain nouns are frequently paired with と because they naturally form complete, exhaustive pairs or sets in everyday language. These common collocations are valuable to learn as ready-made phrases that sound natural to native speakers. Memorizing them can enhance your fluency and comprehension.
Here are some frequently encountered pairings:
  • 男と女 (otoko to onna) – Man and woman. (Often used when referring to genders in general, or mixed groups.)
  • 昼と夜 (hiru to yoru) – Day and night. (Representing a complete cycle or dichotomy.)
  • 春夏秋冬 (haru natsu aki fuyu) – Spring, summer, autumn, and winter. (While not always explicitly listed with と in between each, this represents a natural exhaustive list of seasons. When spoken or written as a list, と would be used: 春と夏と秋と冬.)
  • 親と子 (oya to ko) – Parent and child. (A fundamental relationship pairing.)
  • 夫と妻 (otto to tsuma) – Husband and wife. (Another common relationship pairing.)
  • 東と西 (higashi to nishi) – East and west. (Directions that form a natural pair.)
  • 日本と韓国 (Nihon to Kankoku) – Japan and Korea. (Often used when discussing relationships or comparisons between these two countries.)
  • 過去と未来 (kako to mirai) – Past and future. (Opposite concepts that define time.)
  • 生と死 (sei to shi) – Life and death. (Another fundamental dichotomy.)
  • ペンと紙 (pen to kami) – Pen and paper. (Items often used together.)
These collocations demonstrate と's inherent ability to convey a sense of completeness and a natural grouping of the listed nouns. They serve as excellent examples of と in authentic, idiomatic Japanese usage.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Japanese offers several ways to link nouns, and distinguishing と from similar particles is essential for accurate communication. The primary particle often contrasted with と is や (ya). Understanding their fundamental difference is key.
| Feature | と (to) | や (ya) |
| :---------------- | :----------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------ |\
| Implication | Exhaustive list (complete, definitive) | Incomplete list (examples, among others) |\
| Meaning | "A and B (and only A and B)" | "A, B, and so on" / "A, B, etc." |\
| Specificity | Highly specific, presents all relevant items | Less specific, suggests other items exist |\
| Tone | Factual, precise | Casual, illustrative |\
や (ya): While と denotes an exhaustive list, や is used when you are giving examples and implying that there are other similar items you could mention but aren't for brevity or because they aren't strictly necessary for your point. Think of や as meaning "A, B, and things like that" or "A, B, among others."
  • と example: 冷蔵庫に卵と牛乳があります。 (Reizōko ni tamago to gyūnyū ga arimasu., There are eggs and milk in the refrigerator.) – This implies only eggs and milk are there.
  • や example: 冷蔵庫に卵や牛乳などがあります。 (Reizōko ni tamago ya gyūnyū nado ga arimasu., There are eggs, milk, and such in the refrigerator.) – This suggests there might also be cheese, juice, or other items.
Often, や is paired with など (nado, etc./and so on) at the end of the list to explicitly reinforce its incomplete nature. Using や without など still implies incompleteness but など makes it more explicit.
も (mo): This particle means "also" or "too." While it can appear in sentences with multiple items, its function is different from と.
  • 私も行きます。 (Watashi mo ikimasu., I'm going too.) – Here, も marks "I" as also performing the action.
  • 本もペンも買いました。 (Hon mo pen mo kaimashita., I bought both a book and a pen / I bought a book, and I also bought a pen.) – When も is used with multiple items, it emphasizes that each item possesses the stated characteristic or is subject to the stated action. It's less about connecting them into a single group like と, and more about affirming a predicate for each individual item.
In summary, choose と for definitive, complete lists. Choose や for illustrative, incomplete lists. Use も to indicate that multiple items share a characteristic or action.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use と for more than two items?

Yes, absolutely. You can connect as many nouns as necessary to form your complete list: Noun A と Noun B と Noun C と Noun D. Remember, for A1 level, omit と after the final noun.

Q

Is it acceptable to use と when referring to people?

Yes, it is perfectly natural and common. You can use と to list individuals or groups of people exhaustively. For example, 私と友達 (watashi to tomodachi, me and my friend) or 先生と生徒 (sensei to seito, teacher and students).

Q

Does と always imply an exhaustive list?

When と is used to connect nouns (Noun A と Noun B), yes, it inherently implies an exhaustive and complete list. However, be aware that と has other grammatical functions in Japanese (e.g., conditional と, quotative と) where this sense of exhaustiveness does not apply. These are separate grammatical patterns.

Q

How do I choose between と and や?

The choice hinges on whether your list is complete or not. If you are stating all the relevant items, use と. If you are providing some examples and implying there are others, use や. When in doubt at the A1 stage, if you truly mean "and," と is often the safer, more precise choice.

Q

Can と be used to link sentences or clauses?

No, と solely connects nouns. To link sentences or clauses, you will need to use other grammatical forms, such as the て-form for sequential actions or が (ga) or けど (kedo) for contrasting clauses.

Noun Connection Table

Noun 1 Particle Noun 2 Result
{猫|ねこ}
と
{犬|いぬ}
{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ}
{私|わたし}
と
{彼|かれ}
{私|わたし} と {彼|かれ}
{パン|ぱん}
と
{水|みず}
{パン|ぱん} と {水|みず}
{赤|あか}
と
{白|しろ}
{赤|あか} と {白|しろ}
{春|はる}
と
{秋|あき}
{春|はる} と {秋|あき}
{東京|とうきょう}
と
{大阪|おおさか}
{東京|とうきょう} と {大阪|おおさか}

Meanings

The particle 'と' is used to join two or more nouns into a single list, functioning similarly to the English conjunction 'and'.

1

Exhaustive conjunction

Connecting nouns to form a complete list.

“{パン|ぱん} と {卵|たまご} を {買|か} いました。”

“{ペン|ぺん} と {ノート|のーと}。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Connecting Nouns: 'And' (と)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
N1 + と + N2
{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ}
Multiple
N1 + と + N2 + と + N3
{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ} と {鳥|とり}
Question
N1 + と + N2 + は + どちらですか
{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ} は どちらですか
With Verb
N1 + と + N2 + を + V
{パン|ぱん} と {卵|たまご} を {買|か} う
Negative
N1 + と + N2 + は + ありません
{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ} は ありません
Polite
N1 + と + N2 + です
{私|わたし} と {あなた} です

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} を ください。

{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} を ください。 (Ordering food)

Neutral
{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} を ください。

{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} を ください。 (Ordering food)

Informal
{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} ちょうだい。

{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} ちょうだい。 (Ordering food)

Slang
{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} で。

{パン|ぱん} と {牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう} で。 (Ordering food)

The 'To' Bridge

と

Food

  • {パン|ぱん} bread
  • {水|みず} water

People

  • {私|わたし} me
  • {友達|ともだち} friend
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Examples by Level

1

{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ}。

Cat and dog.

2

{私|わたし} と {彼|かれ}。

Me and him.

3

{ペン|ぺん} と {ノート|のーと}。

Pen and notebook.

4

{日本|にほん} と {中国|ちゅうごく}。

Japan and China.

1

{コーヒー|こーひー} と {紅茶|こうちゃ} を {飲|の|み} ます。

I drink coffee and tea.

2

{東京|とうきょう} と {大阪|おおさか} に {行|い} きました。

I went to Tokyo and Osaka.

3

{父|ちち} と {母|はは} は {元気|げんき} です。

My father and mother are well.

4

{赤|あか} と {青|あお} の {服|ふく}。

Red and blue clothes.

1

{彼|かれ} と {彼女|かのじょ} は {結婚|けっこん} しました。

He and she got married.

2

{本|ほん} と {雑誌|ざっし} を {読|よ|む} {時間|じかん} が {無|な|い}。

I don't have time to read books and magazines.

3

{夏|なつ} と {冬|ふゆ}、どちらが {好|す|き} ですか？

Which do you like, summer or winter?

4

{肉|にく} と {野菜|やさい} を {食|た|べ} る {必要|ひつよう} が {あ|る}。

It is necessary to eat meat and vegetables.

1

{理論|りろん} と {実践|じっせん} は {異|こと|なる}。

Theory and practice are different.

2

{権利|けんり} と {義務|ぎむ} を {理解|りかい} する。

Understand rights and obligations.

3

{過去|かこ} と {未来|みらい} を {繋|つな|ぐ}。

Connecting the past and the future.

4

{経済|けいざい} と {政治|せいじ} の {問題|もんだい}。

Economic and political issues.

1

{伝統|でんとう} と {革新|かくしん} の {融合|ゆうごう}。

The fusion of tradition and innovation.

2

{哲学|てつがく} と {芸術|げいじゅつ} の {対話|たいわ}。

A dialogue between philosophy and art.

3

{情熱|じょうねつ} と {冷静|れいせい} の {間|あいだ}。

Between passion and calmness.

4

{環境|かんきょう} と {開発|かいはつ} の {両立|りょうりつ}。

Compatibility of environment and development.

1

{生|せい} と {死|し} の {境界|きょうかい}。

The boundary between life and death.

2

{言葉|ことば} と {心|こころ} の {関係|かんけい}。

The relationship between language and the heart.

3

{権力|けんりょく} と {市民|しみん} の {対立|たいりつ}。

The conflict between power and citizens.

4

{自然|しぜん} と {人間|にんげん} の {共生|きょうせい}。

Symbiosis of nature and humans.

Easily Confused

Connecting Nouns: 'And' (と) vs と vs や

Both mean 'and', but 'と' is exhaustive while 'や' is not.

Connecting Nouns: 'And' (と) vs と vs も

Both can link items, but 'も' means 'also'.

Connecting Nouns: 'And' (と) vs と (conjunction) vs と (quotative)

The particle 'と' is used for both.

Common Mistakes

✗

{食|た} べる と {飲|の} む

✓

{食|た} べて、{飲|の} む

Cannot connect verbs with 'と'.
✗

{大|おお} きい と {赤|あか} い

✓

{大|おお} きくて、{赤|あか} い

Cannot connect adjectives with 'と'.
✗

{猫|ねこ} {犬|いぬ}

✓

{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ}

Missing the particle.
✗

{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ} と

✓

{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ}

Trailing particle.
✗

{私|わたし} と {友達|ともだち} {行|い} く

✓

{私|わたし} と {友達|ともだち} が {行|い} く

Confusing the conjunction with the subject marker.
✗

{パン|ぱん} と {卵|たまご} と {買|か} う

✓

{パン|ぱん} と {卵|たまご} を {買|か} う

Misplacing the object marker.
✗

{東京|とうきょう} と {京都|きょうと} {行|い} く

✓

{東京|とうきょう} と {京都|きょうと} に {行|い} く

Missing the destination particle.
✗

{雨|あめ} が {降|ふ} る と {傘|かさ} を {持|も} つ

✓

{雨|あめ} が {降|ふ} ると {傘|かさ} を {持|も} つ

Confusing 'と' (conjunction) with 'と' (conditional).
✗

{彼|かれ} と {話|はな} す

✓

{彼|かれ} と {話|はな} す

Correct, but confusing 'with' vs 'and'.
✗

{赤|あか} と {青|あお} の {服|ふく} を {買|か} う

✓

{赤|あか} と {青|あお} の {服|ふく} を {買|か} う

Correct, but check if they mean 'red and blue (one item)' vs 'red and blue (two items)'.
✗

{彼|かれ} と {一緒|いっしょ} と {行|い} く

✓

{彼|かれ} と {一緒|いっしょ} に {行|い} く

Redundant particle usage.
✗

{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ} と {他|ほか} に

✓

{猫|ねこ} や {犬|いぬ} など

Using 'と' for non-exhaustive lists.
✗

{彼|かれ} と {言|い} う {人|ひと}

✓

{彼|かれ} と {言|い} う {人|ひと}

Correct, but confusing with quotative 'to'.

Sentence Patterns

___ と ___ を ください。

___ と ___ は どちらが ___ ですか？

___ と ___ に {行|い} きました。

___ と ___ の {間|あいだ}。

Real World Usage

Ordering food constant

{ビール|びーる} と {枝豆|えだまめ} を ください。

Texting very common

{猫|ねこ} と {犬|いぬ} {好|す|き}？

Travel common

{東京|とうきょう} と {京都|きょうと} に {行|い} きます。

Shopping common

{ペン|ぺん} と {ノート|のーと} を {買|か} います。

Introductions occasional

{私|わたし} と {彼|かれ} は {友達|ともだち} です。

Job Interview occasional

{経験|けいけん} と {スキル|すきる} を {活|い|か} します。

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💡

Noun only

Always check if you are connecting two nouns. If not, use a different connector.
⚠️

Not for verbs

Do not use 'と' to connect verbs. Use the te-form instead.
🎯

Exhaustive list

Remember that 'と' means the list is complete. If you want to imply more items, use 'や'.
💬

Polite requests

Using 'と' in orders is very common and polite in restaurants.

Smart Tips

Use 'と' for a complete list.

{パン|ぱん} {卵|たまご} → {パン|ぱん} と {卵|たまご}

Don't use 'と'. Use the te-form.

{食|た} べる と {寝|ね} る → {食|た} べて、{寝|ね} る

Use 'や' instead of 'と'.

{パン|ぱん} と {卵|たまご} (and other things) → {パン|ぱん} や {卵|たまご}

Use 'と' after the person.

{友達|ともだち} {行|い} く → {友達|ともだち} と {行|い} く

Pronunciation

to (like 'toe' but shorter)

Short particle

The 'to' is short and crisp. Do not elongate it.

Flat

N1 と N2

Standard list

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'To' as a 'Towing' rope that pulls two nouns together.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'と' character acting as a bridge between two islands (the nouns).

Rhyme

To connects the things you see, like a cat and a tree.

Story

I went to the store. I wanted bread. I wanted milk. I used 'と' to join them. Now I have bread and milk in my basket.

Word Web

{猫|ねこ}{犬|いぬ}{本|ほん}{ペン|ぺん}{私|わたし}{友達|ともだち}

Challenge

Look around your room and name two things you see using 'と'.

Cultural Notes

In Japan, being exhaustive is important. Using 'と' shows you are being precise about what you want.

The particle 'と' evolved from an archaic demonstrative/connective particle in Old Japanese.

Conversation Starters

“

{何|なに} が {好|す|き} ですか？

“

{明日|あした} {何|なに} を {買|か} いますか？

“

{日本|にほん} の {食|た|べ} {物|もの} で {何|なに} と {何|なに} が {好|す|き} ですか？

“

{仕事|しごと} と {趣味|しゅみ} の {バランス|ばらんす} は？

Journal Prompts

List 3 things in your bag.
Describe your favorite meal.
Compare two cities you know.
Discuss the pros and cons of technology.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct particle.

{猫|ねこ} ___ {犬|いぬ}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: と
'と' connects nouns.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
'と' is the conjunction.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

{食|た} べる と {飲|の} む

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Verbs connect with te-form.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Standard order.
Translate to Japanese. Translation

Bread and water.

Answer starts with: a...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct conjunction.
Match the English to Japanese. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct translation.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

I like cats and dogs.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct structure.
Choose the correct usage. Multiple Choice

Which is exhaustive?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
'と' is exhaustive.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct particle.

{猫|ねこ} ___ {犬|いぬ}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: と
'と' connects nouns.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
'と' is the conjunction.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

{食|た} べる と {飲|の} む

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Verbs connect with te-form.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

{犬|いぬ} / {猫|ねこ} / と

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Standard order.
Translate to Japanese. Translation

Bread and water.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct conjunction.
Match the English to Japanese. Match Pairs

Cat and dog

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct translation.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

I like cats and dogs.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct structure.
Choose the correct usage. Multiple Choice

Which is exhaustive?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
'と' is exhaustive.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

6 exercises
Fill in the particle to connect 'Apple' and 'Banana'. Fill in the Blank

{林檎|りんご} ( ) {バナナ|ばなな}を{食|た}べます。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: と
Put the words in order to say 'Bread and milk, please.' Sentence Reorder

Order the words:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: パン と 牛乳 をください
Translate 'Coffee and sugar' into Japanese. Translation

Coffee and sugar

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {コーヒー|こーひー}と{砂糖|さとう}
How do you say 'My father and mother'? Multiple Choice

Choose the best translation:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {父|ちち}と{母|はは}
Correct this list: 'Bread, milk, eggs.' Error Correction

{パン|ぱん}、{牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう}、{卵|たまご}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {パン|ぱん}と{牛乳|ぎゅうにゅう}と{卵|たまご}
Match the modern pairs. Match Pairs

Match items:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /6

FAQ (8)

Yes, just add 'と' between each item: 'A と B と C'.

No, it is invariant.

No, use the te-form (e.g., 'ookikute').

'と' is exhaustive (only these), 'や' is non-exhaustive (these and others).

It is neutral and used in all registers.

No, it only connects nouns.

No, we don't use commas before 'と'.

Yes, it can also mean 'with' (e.g., 'with friend').

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

y

Spanish 'y' becomes 'e' before 'i' sounds, while 'と' never changes.

French high

et

French 'et' is a standalone word, 'と' is a particle attached to nouns.

German high

und

German 'und' is a coordinating conjunction, 'と' is a particle.

Japanese self

と

None.

Arabic moderate

و (wa)

Arabic 'wa' is a prefix, 'と' is a particle.

Chinese high

和 (hé)

Chinese 'hé' is a word, 'と' is a particle.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Connecting Nouns with {の|no}

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