Translation guide
How to express the idea of going with someone, doing something together, or being accompanied by something in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you are talking about people, things, or abstract qualities.
友達と一緒に行った。
I went with a friend.
サラダ付きです。
It comes with a salad.
Expressing that you go somewhere together with another person.
The most common and natural way to say 'together with' someone. Use after a person's name or pronoun.
友達と一緒に映画を見に行った。
I went to see a movie with a friend.
彼女と一緒に買い物をした。
I went shopping with my girlfriend.
A shorter, more casual way to say 'with' someone. Often used in spoken Japanese.
昨日、兄と公園に行った。
I went to the park with my older brother yesterday.
Used when you take or bring someone along, often implying you are leading or responsible for them. Common with children, pets, or subordinates.
子供を連れて旅行に行く。
I'm going on a trip with my child (taking my child along).
Expressing that you perform an action jointly with another person.
Works for any shared activity, not just movement.
彼と一緒に宿題をした。
I did homework with him.
The shorter version is also fine for activities.
友達とテニスをした。
I played tennis with a friend.
When the other person is clear from context, you can just say 'together'.
一緒に食べませんか。
Would you like to eat together?
Expressing that something comes with or is accompanied by something else, like a side dish, a feature, or a condition.
Attached to nouns to mean 'with ~ included' or '~ comes with'. Very common for meals, services, and features.
このホテルは朝食付きです。
This hotel comes with breakfast.
送料込みの値段です。
The price includes shipping. (Note: 込み is similar but means 'included')
Verb phrase meaning 'to come with', 'to be attached', or 'to be accompanied by'. Used for features, conditions, or physical attachments.
このソフトには保証が付いています。
This software comes with a warranty.
条件が付く。
Conditions are attached.
Formal/literary expression meaning 'along with' or 'accompanied by'. Used for abstract things or simultaneous events.
年と共に経験も増える。
With age comes experience.
Referring to instrumental backing for a singer or performer.
The standard word for musical accompaniment.
ピアノの伴奏で歌う。
Sing with piano accompaniment.
Both mean 'with', but 一緒に emphasizes togetherness. 〜と alone is more casual and often used in short sentences. In formal writing, 〜と一緒に is preferred.
彼と話した。
I talked with him.
彼と一緒に話し合った。
I had a discussion together with him.
一緒に is only for people (or sometimes animals). For objects or abstract things, use 付き, が付く, or other patterns.
✕ コーヒーと一緒にケーキ
Intended: coffee with cake (as a set). Better: コーヒーにケーキが付く or ケーキ付きコーヒー.