uses of と

Question 1

Using the particle と (to) to compare & contrast:

お茶とコーヒーと、どちらの方が好きですか。

Ocha to kōhī to, dochira no hō ga suki desu ka?

Answer 1

Between tea and coffee, which do you like better?

The particle と can be used to indicate a comparison or a contrast. In this case, it is used twice; once after the first noun and once after the second noun.

Question 2

Using the particle と (to) to mark quotation: Example 1

明日は学校に行くと思います。

Ashita wa gakkō ni iku to omoimasu.

Answer 2

I think I will go to school tomorrow.

The particle と can also be used to mark the end of a thought or a quotation. It is often proceeded by the plain form of a verb, and followed by verbs like 言う (iu) – to say, 思う (omou) – to think, and 聞く (kiku) – to listen/hear.

Question 3

Using the particle と (to) to mark quotation: Example 2

彼は明日は学校に来ると言いました。

Kare wa ashita wa gakkō ni kuru to iimashita.

Answer 3

He said he will come to school tomorrow.

The particle と can also be used to mark the end of a thought or a quotation. It is often proceeded by the plain form of a verb, and followed by verbs like 言う (iu) – to say, 思う (omou) – to think, and 聞く (kiku) – to listen/hear.

Question 4

Using the particle と (to) to mark quotation: Example 3

私は彼が明日学校に来ると聞きました。

Watashi wa kare ga ashita gakkō ni kuru to kikimashita.

Answer 4

I heard he will come to school tomorrow.

The particle と can also be used to mark the end of a thought or a quotation. It is often proceeded by the plain form of a verb, and followed by verbs like 言う (iu) – to say, 思う (omou) – to think, and 聞く (kiku) – to listen/hear.

Question 5

The use of と (to) as conditional: Example 1

家に帰ると誰もいませんでした。

Ie ni kaeru to daremo imasen deshita.

Answer 5

When I got home nobody was there.

You can also put と after a verb or an adjective to form a conditional. It translates into as soon as, when, or if.

Question 6

The use of と (to) as conditional: Example 2

学校が終わるとすぐ家に帰りました。

Gakkō ga owaru to sugu ie ni kaerimashita.

Answer 6

As soon as school ended, I went home.

You can also put と after a verb or an adjective to form a conditional. It translates into as soon as, when, or if.

Question 7

The use of と (to) as conditional: Example 3

あの店に行くとおいしいラーメンが食べられます。

Ano mise ni iku to oishii rāmen ga taberaremasu.

Answer 7

If you go to that restaurant, you can eat good rāmen.

You can also put と after a verb or an adjective to form a conditional. It translates into as soon as, when, or if.

Question 8

The use of と (to) with sound words: Example 1

犬がワンワンと吠えている。

inu ga wan wan to hoeteiru.

Answer 8

The dog is crying, “bark bark.”

The particle と can be used after onomatopoetic adverbs.