Translation guide
The English verb "accompany" covers several distinct situations: going somewhere with someone, happening at the same time, providing musical support, and including something alongside. Japanese uses different expressions for each.
To go somewhere together with another person, often as a companion or escort.
The most natural and common way to say "go with someone." Literally "go together."
明日、一緒に行きませんか？
Would you like to go together tomorrow?
He accompanied me (came with me).
A formal verb meaning "to accompany" or "to go with." Common in business or official contexts.
部長に同行して大阪へ出張した。
I accompanied the department head on a business trip to Osaka.
To accompany someone who needs assistance, such as a child, elderly person, or patient. Implies care or supervision.
母が病院に付き添ってくれた。
My mother accompanied me to the hospital.
A humble expression (kenjougo) meaning "to accompany (a superior)." Used in very polite or service situations.
社長のお供をして海外に行きました。
I accompanied the company president overseas.
To occur or exist together with something else, often as a simultaneous event or condition.
Means "to accompany" in the sense of being a natural consequence or simultaneous occurrence. Often used for symptoms, risks, or changes.
この薬は副作用を伴うことがあります。
This medicine may be accompanied by side effects.
経済成長は環境問題を伴う。
Economic growth is accompanied by environmental problems.
A straightforward phrase meaning "to occur at the same time as ~."
地震と同時に火災が起こった。
A fire broke out accompanying the earthquake.
Formal term meaning "to be attached to" or "to accompany as a secondary feature." Used in technical or legal contexts.
このサービスには利用規約が付随します。
This service is accompanied by terms of use.
To provide musical support for a singer or another instrument.
The standard verb for musical accompaniment. Used for piano, guitar, etc.
彼女の歌にピアノで伴奏した。
I accompanied her singing on the piano.
A slightly more colloquial way to say "provide accompaniment for ~."
ギターで彼の伴奏をした。
I accompanied him on guitar.
To provide or send something together with something else, like a document or gift.
To attach or include something as an addition, often a note, gift, or document.
手紙に写真を添えた。
I accompanied the letter with a photo.
To enclose something in the same envelope or package. Common in business correspondence.
履歴書に職務経歴書を同封した。
I enclosed a resume along with the CV.
To attach a file or document, especially in emails or digital communication.
メールに資料を添付してください。
Please attach the documents to the email.
Use 一緒に行く for casual, everyday situations. 同行する is formal and often used in business. 付き添う implies providing care or assistance, like accompanying a child or patient.
友達と一緒に映画に行った。
I went to the movies with a friend.
上司に同行して会議に出席した。
I accompanied my boss to the meeting.
子供が病院に行くのに付き添った。
I accompanied my child to the hospital.
The loanword アカンパニー is not used in Japanese. Always use native expressions depending on the context.