〜と - Once... Then...

Explanation

〜と is used to indicate that once the first action or event occurs, the second action or event will inevitably follow. It emphasizes the inevitability of the outcome.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Dictionary Form + と	Verb Dictionary Form + と	Used to indicate that once the first action occurs, the second action will follow.
い-Adjective Stem + と	い-Adjective Stem + と	Used to indicate that once the first condition occurs, the second action will follow.
な-Adjective Stem + だ + と	な-Adjective Stem + だ + と	Used to indicate that once the first condition occurs, the second action will follow.

Basic Usage

When using 〜と, the second action or event is certain to happen once the first one occurs. This pattern is commonly used to describe habits, natural phenomena, and inevitable outcomes.

Examples

• 春はるになると 桜さくらが咲さく。
• Haru ni naru to sakura ga saku.
• Once spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
  

• 兄あには学校がっこうから帰かえると、何なにも言いわず自分じぶんの部屋へやに入はいった。
• Ani wa gakkou kaeru to, nani mo iwazu jibun no heya ni haitta.
• Once my brother came home from school, he went straight to his room without saying anything.
  

• 家いえに帰かえると すぐにテレビをつける。
• Ie ni kaeru to sugu ni terebi o tsukeru.
• Once I get home, I immediately turn on the TV.
  

Deep Dive

〜と can be used in the following scenarios:

1. Natural Phenomena
   • 例句：雨あめが降ふると 川かわが増水ぞうすいする。
   • Ame ga furu to kawa ga zousui suru.
   • Once it rains, the river water level rises.
     
2. Habits
   • 例句：朝あさ起おきると、まずコーヒーを飲のむ。
   • Asa okiru to, mazu koohii o nomu.
   • Once I wake up in the morning, I first drink coffee.
     
3. Inevitable Outcomes
   • 例句：このボタンを押おすと、ドアが開あく。
   • Kono botan o osu to, doa ga aku.
   • Once you press this button, the door opens.
     

Comparison and Differences

Grammar	Meaning	Example
〜と	Once... then...	鍵かぎを忘わすれると、家いえに入はいれません。
〜たら	If... then...	もしお金かねがあったら、旅行りょこうに行いきたいです。
〜ば	If...	雨あめが降ふれば、出でかけません。

Real-Life Scenarios

Dialogue 1

• A: 明日あしたも暑あついかな？
• A: Ashita mo atsui kana?
• Will it be hot tomorrow too?
  
• B: 夏なつになると 毎日まいにち暑あついね。
• B: Natsu ni naru to mainichi atsui ne.
• Once summer comes, it’s hot every day.
  

Dialogue 2

• A: この道みちを行いくと、どこに出でるの？
• A: Kono michi o iku to, doko ni deru no?
• If I go down this road, where will I end up?
  
• B: まっすぐ行いくと 駅えきに出でるよ。
• B: Massugu iku to eki ni deru yo.
• If you go straight, you’ll reach the station.
  

Summary

〜と is commonly used in everyday Japanese to describe inevitable outcomes or habitual actions. Understanding its usage helps in expressing ideas more accurately and in comprehending others' expressions better.

〜と - Expressing Parallel Relationships

Explanation

〜と is one of the most commonly used parallel particles in Japanese, used to indicate a parallel relationship between two or more nouns.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
〜と	Noun + と + Noun	Used to list two or three items or people, indicating a parallel relationship between them.

Deep Dive

〜と is used to list two or three items or people, showing a parallel relationship between them. This usage is very common in everyday conversations, especially when listing items, foods, or languages.

Examples

• 車くるまの上うえに 鉛筆えんぴつ と ノート と 教科書きょうかしょ があります。
• Kuruma no ue ni enpitsu to nōto to kyōkasho ga arimasu.
• There are pencils, notebooks, and textbooks on the car.
  

• 私わたしは りんご と バナナ が好きです。
• Watashi wa ringo to banana ga suki desu.
• I like apples and bananas.
  

• 彼かれは 日本語にほんご と 英語えいご を話せます。
• Kare wa nihongo to eigo o hanasemasu.
• He can speak Japanese and English.
  

Important Notes

• Complete Listing: When using 〜と, it usually indicates a complete listing, meaning the listed nouns are all-inclusive with no omissions.
  • Example: 私わたしは コーヒー と 紅茶こうちゃ を飲のみます。
  • Watashi wa kōhī to kōcha o nomimasu.
  • I drink coffee and black tea. (Only these two)
    
• Quantity Limit: Generally, 〜と connects no more than three or four nouns, as the sentence may become too lengthy otherwise.

Summary

〜と is widely used in Japanese, and mastering it can greatly enhance your ability to communicate in everyday situations. Remember, its primary function is to indicate parallelism and is typically used for complete listings.