と - Indicates Joint Participation in an Action

Explanation

The particle 「と」 in Japanese has various uses, one of which is to indicate joint participation in an action, often translated as "with" or "and" in English. It connects two nouns to show that they are performing an action together.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun A + と + Noun B + Verb	Noun A and Noun B do something together	Used to indicate that two nouns are performing an action together.

Examples

• 彼かれは友達ともだちと映画えいがを見みに行いきました。
• Kare wa tomodachi to eiga o mi ni ikimashita.
• He went to watch a movie with his friend.
  

• 私わたしは先生せんせいと30分話はなしました。
• Watashi wa sensei to 30-pun hanashimashita.
• I talked with the teacher for 30 minutes.
  

• 彼かれは弟おとうととサッカーさっかーをしました。
• Kare wa otouto to sakkaa o shimashita.
• He played soccer with his younger brother.
  

Deep Dive

When the particle 「と」 is used to indicate joint participation in an action, it typically describes two people or things performing an activity together. This usage emphasizes the cooperation or joint action between the two. For example, in the sentence 「彼かれは友達ともだちと映画えいがを見みに行いきました。」, the particle 「と」 indicates that 「彼」 and 「友達」 went to watch a movie together, emphasizing their joint participation in the action.

Summary

The particle 「と」 is straightforward when used to indicate doing something together. By understanding its distinction from other particles, you can use 「と」 more accurately to express joint participation and coordination in actions.

と - Quoting Someone's Words, Thoughts, or Written Content

Explanation

The particle 「と」 in Japanese is used to indicate quotation. This usage is employed to express what someone has said, thought, or written, and it can be used for both direct and indirect statements.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
と Quotation	Sentence + と + Verbs like 言う, 思う, 書く, 考える, etc.	The particle 「と」 is used to quote someone's words, thoughts, or written content.

Basic Usage

Direct Quotation

• Example:
  • 彼かれは「明日あしたは雨あめが降ふる」と言いいました。
  • Kare wa 「ashita wa ame ga furu」 to iimashita.
  • He said, "It will rain tomorrow."
    

Indirect Quotation

• Example:
  • 彼かれは明日あしたは雨あめが降ふると言いいました。
  • Kare wa ashita wa ame ga furu to iimashita.
  • He said that it would rain tomorrow.
    

Deep Dive

• Direct Quotation: Uses quotation marks and maintains the original wording.

• Indirect Quotation: Does not use quotation marks and can be adjusted according to the speaker's expression.

• Examples:

  • 彼かれは「今日きょうは忙いそがしい」と言いいました。
  • Kare wa 「kyou wa isogashii」 to iimashita.
  • He said, "I'm busy today."
    
  • 彼かれは今日きょうは忙いそがしいと言いいました。
  • Kare wa kyou wa isogashii to iimashita.
  • He said that he was busy today.
    

Grammar Notes

• Verb Choice: Often followed by verbs like "say," "think," "write," etc.
• Tense Consistency: The tense of the quoted part should match the main clause.
• Important Note: When asking about time, 「いつ」 cannot be followed by 「と」, while 「何时」 should be followed by 「に」.

Real-Life Examples

• 田中たなかさんは「今日きょうは休やすみます」と言いいました。
• Tanaka-san wa 「kyou wa yasumimasu」 to iimashita.
• Mr. Tanaka said, "I will take the day off today."
  
• 母ははは明日あした早はやく起おきると言いっていた。
• Haha wa ashita hayaku okiru to itteita.
• My mom said she would wake up early tomorrow.
  

Summary

The particle 「と」 as a quotation marker is very common in Japanese and is effective in conveying what someone has said or thought. Mastering this usage not only improves Japanese expression but also enhances understanding and participation in everyday conversations.