with (accompaniment), and (exhaustive list), quotation marker
Form: noun + と + noun/verb, or a quoted phrase + と + a verb of speech/thought (言う, 思う, 書く, etc.).
Meaning: joins two things, marks a companion, or wraps a piece of speech/thought.
Key uses:
- With (accompaniment): 兄と行く go with my brother, 犬と散歩する walk with the dog. The companion isn't the object — they're doing the action alongside you.
- And (complete list): 犬と猫がいる there's a dog and a cat — implies exactly those two, nothing else.
- Quotation: wraps direct speech or the content of a thought. 「行く」と言った (he) said "I'll go", 難しいと思う I think it's hard, 彼は先生だと聞いた I heard that he's a teacher.
vs. や: や lists items as examples ("...and things like that"). 犬や猫がいる there's a dog, a cat (among others). と is exhaustive; や is a partial sample.
vs. に (recipient): 友達と話す talk WITH a friend (mutual conversation) vs. 友達に話す talk TO a friend (one-way — you're the one talking, they're the listener).
Furigana is above every kanji; the pattern is already filled in.
友達＿＿映画を見ました。
I watched a movie with a friend.
パン＿＿牛乳を買いました。
I bought bread and milk. (exhaustive: just those two)
彼は「はい」＿＿言いました。
He said "yes". (quotation)