〜と

〜と is a particle that functions as a and / with / if (natural result) in Japanese sentences. Particles are the building blocks of Japanese grammar — small words that define the grammatical relationship between other words. Mastering 〜と is essential for constructing correct and natural-sounding sentences.

This is a foundational pattern that you will use from day one of your Japanese studies.

When to Use#

• Accompaniment: 友達と行く (go with a friend)
• Quotation: 「楽しい」と言った (said "it's fun")
• Complete listing: 犬と猫を飼っている (I have a dog and a cat)

When NOT to Use#

• In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

• 家族と朝ご飯を食べます。 — I eat breakfast with my family.
• 友達と寿司を食べました。 — I ate sushi with my friend.
• ごはんと魚を食べました。 — I ate rice and fish.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Omitting 〜と in contexts where it's required — While particles can sometimes be dropped in very casual speech, omitting 〜と in the wrong context changes the meaning or sounds ungrammatical.