Structure
Noun (A) + は + Noun (B) + と + Verb
Details
Part of Speech
Particle
Word Type
Case Marking Particle
Register
Standard
品詞
助詞
単語の種類
格助詞
使用域
一般
About と
In this lesson about と, we will look at the common translation of 'with' that is associated with this particle. と shows that there is a relationship between (A) and (B), regardless of if that relationship is translated as 'and', or 'with'.
In either case, the nouns that are marked with と are usually all performing some mutual action (that mutual action may simply be existing).
When と is used as 'with', it means that both/all people or objects are equally involved in the action. However, に highlights that one person is the target (destination) of an action, so will result in something sounding a lot more one sided.
Here we can see that both people are talking when と is used. It is a mutual conversation. When に is used, however, the person marked by に is being talked 'to', and is usually not actively participating in the conversation.
Examples
トムと話す。
I talk with Tom.
僕は友達とごはんを食べる。
I will eat food with my friend.
ゆうこさんはみおさんとコーヒーを飲む。
Yuko-san drinks coffee with Mio-san.
タキはミツハと走る。
Taki runs with Mitsuha.
たなかさんはやまださんと話す。
Tanaka-san talks with Yamada-san.
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Online
The Inclusive 「と」 particle
Tae Kim
Offline
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 113 (Chapter 4)
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と – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (3 in total)
seigani
I want to ask regarding this example
僕は友達とごはんを食べる。
why it is not “僕の友達とごはんを食べる”?
IcyIceBear
That sounds more like someone else is eating with your friend
You don’t have to specify your friend. The topic of the sentence is you. What will you do? Eat, with a friend. We can assume it’s your friend since there isn’t a mention of it being anyone else’s friend/friends.
Same with English, “I’m going to eat with friends today” you don’t have to say my friends (unless you feel the need to point out to the listener that the friends belong to you, not them, and they are not apart of that group)
seigani
Okeyyy. Thanks <3
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