Particles: To

Related Resources • Particles Elsewhere on the Web • A Guide to the Functions of Structural Particles in Japanese

What are particles?

Particles are probably one of the most difficult and confusing aspects of Japanese sentences. A particle (joshi) is a word that shows the relationship of a word, a phrase, or a clause to the rest of the sentence. Some particles have English equivalents. Others have functions similar to English prepositions, but since they always follow the word or words they mark, they are post-positions. There are also particles that have a peculiar usage which is not found in English. Most particles are multi-functional. Click here to learn more about particles.

The Particle "To"

Complete Listing

It connects only nouns and pronouns, never phrases and clauses. It translates into "and".

Contrast

It indicates a comparison or contrast between the two nouns.

Accompaniment

It translates into "together, with".

Change/Result

It is commonly used in the phrase "~ to naru （～となる）", and indicates that something reaches a goal or new state.

Quotation

It is used before such verbs as "~ iu（～言う）", "~ omou（～思う）", "~ kiku （～聞く）", etc to introduce a clause or a phrase. It is normally preceded by a plain form of a verb.

Conditional

It is placed after a verb or an adjective to form a conditional. It translates into "as soon as," "when," "if," etc. A plain form is usually used before the particle "to".

Sound Symbolism

It is used after onomatopoeic adverbs.

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