と
Meanings
- quoting someone's words
- reporting speech or thought
- direct speech marker
- quotative particle for thought or speech
About this pattern
Explanation
The particle と attaches to a quoted phrase, clause, or word to indicate that what follows is someone’s speech, thought, or heard information. It is the primary marker for direct quotation at the N5 level. Use と after a quote to show what was said, thought, or heard, then choose a verb like 言う, 思う, or 聞く to complete the idea. This is commonly used in everyday conversations and written narratives to report speech succinctly.
Learn in context
Example sentences
He said, 'It will rain tomorrow.'
She said, 'I like this place.'
The child said, 'Let's play,' and everyone laughed.
I think, 'That’s true.'
Keep studying
More N5 patterns
to be; is; equals; identifies as
View detailsto be; is; am; used to state something politely
View detailsAs for... (highlights sentence topic); Topic marker used to indicate what the sentence is about; Marks the topic of the sentence, sometimes with contrast
View detailsalso; too; as well; even; either; neither
View detailsthis (near the speaker); this thing; this one
View detailsthat; that thing (near the listener); the thing referred to earlier
View details