JLPT N5 grammar · Conjunctions & Questions

[Person/Animal] と: meaning, usage and examples

[Person/Animal] と means: with [Person/Animal].

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 弟おとうとと映画えいがを見みます。

   I watch a movie with my younger brother.

2. 昨日きのう、家族かぞくと食事しょくじしました。

   I ate with my family yesterday.

3. 友達ともだちと京都きょうとへ行いきました。

   I went to Kyoto with a friend.

4. 母ははと電話でんわで話はなしました。

   I talked with my mother on the phone.

When to use it

と marks who you do something *with* (mutual participation).

Nuance

と implies two-way participation. 友達ともだちと行いく = go with a friend (together).

Compare

に is used when there's a one-directional relationship: 友達ともだちに教おしえる (teach a friend, one-way).

Tip: Don't confuse と (with) and と (quotation marker). Context makes it clear.

More on this in Japanese conditionals: tara, ba, nara and to.