What does とする mean?
とする is said when assuming or taking about something as if it were to be the case. As all difficult concepts in Japanese grammar, it can take time for it to make sense. So, the best approach is to read a lot of examples until it clicks. But, I will try to explain this so it makes a little more sense.
Usage Notes
First, とする is usually not used in that form alone. Instead it shows up as one of the options below:
- としよう
- としたら
- とすると
- とすれば
- としても
- とされている
And so on. The phrase AをBとする can be roughly translated as,
- Assuming A as B
- Treating A as B
In mathematics, word problems or when trying to describe hypothetical situations is when you will see this phrase often. A few examples;
Xを２とする
let X be 2
let X be 2
東京から大阪まで毎日30キロ歩くとします。何日で着きますか？
Assume I walk 30 km from Tokyo to Osaka every day. In how many days will I arrive?
Assume I walk 30 km from Tokyo to Osaka every day. In how many days will I arrive?
This would most likely be written as the following.
東京から大阪まで毎日30キロ歩くとすれば、何日で着きますか？
Assume if were to I walk 30 km from Tokyo to Osaka every day, in how many days will I arrive?
Assume if were to I walk 30 km from Tokyo to Osaka every day, in how many days will I arrive?
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