と Particle (Quotation Marker) Japanese Grammar Lesson
Grammar Type: Particle
Essential Meaning: X said / With the sound of / In the manner of
Construction:
- Quotation + と
- E.g. 「私は学生です」と [X said “I am a student.”]
- Onomatopoeia / Symbolic Sound Word + と
- E.g. バタバタと [With a clatter]
- E.g. ゆっくりと [In a slow manner (i.e. slowly)]
- E.g. うきうき [In a cheerful manner (i.e. cheerfully)]
Notes:
- The basic function of と (Quotation Marker) is to mark a quotation, whether it be a direct quotation, an indirect quotation, or an internal dialogue. A direct quote can be optionally bracketed to delineate the quotation from the rest of the text.
- E.g. Direct Quotation: ヒルさんは私に日本語で「こんにちは」と言った。[Ms. Hill said “Konnichiwa” to me in Japanese.]
- E.g. Indirect Quotation: トムは日本へ行きたいと言っている。[Tom has been saying that he wants to go to Japan.]
- E.g. Internal Dialogue: 私はバスで行こうと思う。[I think I’ll go by bus.]
- と (Quotation Marker) is often used with verbs that convey information to others or to oneself, such as 思う [To think], 考える [To consider], 書く [To write], 聞く [To listen], 言う [To say], and 説明する [To explain]. Generally, a stative form verb ending indicates that the speaker has been saying / thinking something for some time, while a simple present tense indicates spontaneity.
- E.g. トムは日本へ行きたいと言っている。[Tom has been saying that he wants to go to Japan.]
- E.g. トムは日本へ行きたいと言った。[Tom said that he wants to go to Japan.]
- Another important function of と (Quotation marker) is to mark imitative sounds (i.e. onomatopoeia) and symbolic sounds that imitate physical form, motion, or psychological states, as opposed to actual sounds. These imitative and symbolic sounds are very prevalent in the modern Japanese language. When a sound is repeated twice (e.g. バタバタ [Clattering Noise]), と (Quotation marker) may be omitted, but when the sound is repeated only once, と (Quotation marker) is necessary.
- E.g. 子供達はバタバタ(と)走り回った。[The children ran around clamorously.] と (Quotation marker) is optional in this case since バタ is repeated twice.
- E.g. 正男はバタンとドアをしめた。[Masao shut the door with a bang.] This example requires と (Quotation marker) because the symbolic sound バタン is repeated only once.
- E.g. リリはしっかりと私の手をにぎった。[Riri grabbed my hand firmly.]
- E.g. ベンはむっつりと座っている。 [Ben is sitting sullenly.]
Example Sentences:
ヒルさんは私に日本語で「こんにちは」と言った。[Hill said “Konnichiwa” to me in Japanese.]
トムは日本へ行きたいと言っている。[Tom has been saying that he wants to go to Japan.]
私はバスで行こうと思う。[I think I’ll go by bus.]
子供達はバタバタと走り回った。[The children ran around clamorously.]
リリはしっかりと私の手をにぎった。[Riri grabbed my hand firmly.]
ベンはむっつりと座っている。 [Ben is sitting sullenly.]
WILD Examples:
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