The rentaikei + と (to) is one of several conditional
forms. It is often used to describe an assumption, translated
as "if" or "when", usually referring to recurring
situations. It cannot, however, be used for describing requests,
permission, wishes or recommendations.
The rentaikei + と (to) can also be used to describe an observation
or conclusion. In this case it can be translated as "Now that
I..." (often encountered as ren'youkei + てみると (te miru to)),
as "when" or "while", describing a coincidence
or one-off occurance (used as とき (toki)), or as "and then"
when actions are performed by the same grammatical subject.
The rentaikei + と is never found at the end of a sentence. It always
ends the conditional clause, followed by the main clause.
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安いとぜひ買った。 (Yasui to zehi
katta.)
If it were cheap I would definitely have bought it.
田中さんが着くとパーティが始まります。 (Tanaka-san ga tsuku
to paati ga hajimarimasu.)
The party will start when Mr. Tanaka gets here.
そのようなことが言われるといやだ。 (Sono you na koto ga iwareru
to iya datta.)
I hate it when I'm being told something like that. |
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NOTE: The verb before the conditional
"to" cannot be in the past tense.
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安かったと買った。 (Yasukatta to katta.)
(incorrect)
着いたと始まります。 (Tsuita
to hajimarimasu.) (incorrect)
言われたといやだ。
(Iwareta to iya da.) (incorrect) |
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Rentaikei + と・・・言う (to iu)
This use of the particle to is known as the "citing と (to)".
It can be used, not only with と言う (to iu), but with any verb that
is capable of citing or quoting to create direct or indirect speech.
The "to" in this case doesn't belong with the rentaikei
but with the citing or quoting verb.
| と言う |
という |
to iu |
say |
| と考える |
とかんがえる |
to kangaeru |
think |
| と感じる |
とかんじる |
to kanjiru |
feel |
| と聞く |
ときく |
to kiku |
hear |
| と知る |
としる |
to shiru |
know |
| と呼ぶ |
とよぶ |
to yobu |
call / name |
| と分かる |
とわかる |
to wakaru |
understand |
| |
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田中さんがしたと山本さんが言った。 (Tanaka-san ga shita
to Yamamoto-san ga itta.)
Mr. Yamamoto said that Mr. Tanaka did it.
「田中さんがした。」と山本さんが言った。 ("Tanaka-san ga
shita." to Yamamoto-san ga itta.)
" Mr. Tanaka did it." said Mr. Yamamoto.
熊本君は新しい彼女ができたと聞いた。 (Yamamoto-kun wa atarashii
kanojo ga dekita to kiita.)
I heard that Kumamoto has a new girlfriend.
黒いと知っています。 (Kuroi to shitte
imasu.)
I know it's black.
私が馬鹿だとみんなに呼ばれた。 (Watashi ga baka da to
minna ni yobareta.)
I was called a fool by everyone.
そうだと分かります。 (Sou da to wakarimasu.)
I know (understand) it's like that. |
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NOTE: The verb before the citing
"to" can only be in the polite form if it is direct speech,
this does not make the sentence polite though. The sentence can
be made polite by making the citing or quoting verb polite.
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黒いですと知っています。 (Kuroi desu to shitte
imasu.) (incorrect)
日本に行きますと聞いた。
(Nihon ni ikimasu to kiita) (incorrect)
いやですと言われました。
(Iya desu to iwaremashita.)
(incorrect)
「いやです。」と言われました。 ("Iya desu." to
iwaremashita.)
"I don't like that." I was told. |
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Rentaikei + と言うと (to iu to)
The rentaikei + と言うと (to iu to) is translated as "meaning".
Literally it means "when you say".
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明日と言うと日曜日ですね。 (Ashita to iu to
nichiyoubi desu ne.)
Tomorrow, meaning Sunday, right? |
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Rentaikei + とならない (to naranai) / + といけない
(to ikenai)
Special combinations with と are the rentaikei + とならない (to naranai)
or the rentaikei + といけない (to ikenai). These combinations form a
prohibitive,
and are translated as "mustn't". When using the double
negatives mizenkei + ないとならない (nai to naranai) or mizenkei + ないと行けない
(nai to ikenai) these combinations form an imperative,
and are translated as "must" or "have to".
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行くとならない。 (Iku to naranai.)
You cannot go. / You may not go.
行かないとならない。 (Ikanai to naranai.)
You have to go. / You must go. |
行くといけない。 (Iku to ikenai.)
You cannot go. / You may not go.
行かないといけない。 (Ikanai to ikenai.)
You have to go. / You must go. |
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Related pages:
Rentaikei
+ なら (nara)
Ren'youkei
+ たら (tara)
Ren'youkei
+ て (te)
Izenkei
+ ば (ba)
Direct
& indirect speech
Conditional
forms
Imperative
forms
prohibitive
forms
The particle "と"
(to) |
