What does TO mean when not meaning 'with' ?
I'm really confused about the meaning or TO. I know it can mean 'with', as in

onna no ko to onna no hito

but i've also seen it used in other sentences, as in the 'this means something'

kore wa SOMETHING to iu imi desu

also in... 'how do you say SOMETHING?'

SOMETHING wa nan to iimasu ka

also... this online dictionary says about TO:

と (prt,conj) (1) if; when; (2) and; (3) with; (4) particle used for quoting (with speech, thoughts, etc.); (5) (abbr) promoted pawn (shogi);

which makes it even more confusing! One of the examples is:

私はあなたとお話してよかった - I have enjoyed talking to you.

which doesn't seem to fulfill any of the cases above... if you wanted to say 'talk to you' , wouldn't you use NI? as in 'anata ni hanashimasu'?

Long story short, the question is, what does TO mean when not meaning 'with'?
Thanks in advance

Question

What does TO mean when not meaning 'with' ?
I'm really confused about the meaning or TO. I know it can mean 'with', as in

onna no ko to onna no hito

but i've also seen it used in other sentences, as in the 'this means something'

kore wa SOMETHING to iu imi desu

also in... 'how do you say SOMETHING?'

SOMETHING wa nan to iimasu ka

also... this online dictionary says about TO:

と  (prt,conj) (1) if; when; (2) and; (3) with; (4) particle used for quoting (with speech, thoughts, etc.); (5) (abbr) promoted pawn (shogi);

which makes it even more confusing! One of the examples is:

私はあなたとお話してよかった -  I have enjoyed talking to you.

which doesn't seem to fulfill any of the cases above... if you wanted to say 'talk to you' , wouldn't you use NI? as in 'anata ni hanashimasu'?

Long story short, the question is, what does TO mean when not meaning 'with'?
Thanks in advance

Answer

と is used for many grammar patterns. For example:
1. 僕と彼…
"boku to kare..." - He and I...
- It basically means "and".
2. ～砂糖を入れると甘く成る。
"satou wo iretu to amaku naru." - When you put sugar in, it becomes sweet.
- In case of common knowledge. phenomena, or obvious events.
3.1 先生と相談しました。
"sensei to soudan shimashita." - I consulted with the teacher. [two-sided]
3.2 先生に相談しました。
"sensei ni soudan shimashita." - I asked the teacher (for advice). [one-sided]
3.3 香織さんと会った。
"Kaori-san to atta." - I met Kaori-san (we had an appointment)
3.4 香織さんに会った。
"Kaori-san to atta." - I met Kaori-san (a coincidence)
- You understood, correct ? ^_^
4. 舞さんと言う人と会った。
"Mai-san to iu hito to atta." - I met with a person named Mai.
- The speaker thinks that his partner doesn't know the person in question.
5. 「どこかにご飯食べに行こう」と彼女が言いました。
"「dokoka ni gohan tabe ni ikou」to kanojo ga iimashita." - 'Let's go eat somewhere,' she said.
- After quotes. (NOTE: You can use って, as well)
6. ナガノさんはイケメンと言うかハンサムだ。
"Nagano-san ha ikemen to iu ka hansamu da." - Nagano-san is good-looking and handsome. (
- Not quite the exact translation, but it can't be interpreted well in English. You'll understand the meaning in time. (NOTE: Same as above)

Answer

The above explanation is really good, so I will let you stick with that explanation for "TO"

To answer your second question;
SOMETHING wa nan to iimasu ka

Something = 何か "Something"

ＥＸ）何か食べたいです (何か食べたいです）I want to eat something

Good luck! :)

Answers · 2

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