Originally posted by: HelpfulDuo https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/25406905
Particle と has two separate but related meanings. One of the usage is similar to English word and when you connect two or more nouns.
と (to) - and
Noun と Noun = N and N
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| りんご と みかん | ringo to mikan | apple and tangerine |
| やま と かわ (山と川) | yama to kawa | mountain and river |
| これ と あれ] | kore to are | this and that |
| うえ と した (上と下) | ue to shita | up and down / top and bottom |
It's important to remember that the particle と connects nouns only. Not to be used for connecting verbs, adjective phrases, or sentences as the word "and" does in English.
と (to) - with, together with
The second usage of particle と has a meaning of accompanied by another person or thing. It can be used with verbs to show a participant in an action.
Noun と = with N
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| ともだち1 と いく | tomodachi to iku | to go with friends⁺a |
| せんせい と はなす | sensei to hanasu | to talk with the teacher |
| だれ と はしる | dare to hashiru | Who do you run with? |
⁺ ともだち can be either singular or plural unless it's indicated with many or number.
【Practice】
Let's try to come up with the phrases using particle と with either usage above.