Translation guide
Expressing that an action is performed together with someone else. Japanese uses various constructions depending on whether the action is mutual, joint, or accompanied.
The speaker and another person perform an action together, often going somewhere or doing an activity side by side.
The most common way to say 'do something together'. 一緒に means 'together' and can be used with almost any verb.
一緒に映画を見た。
We watched a movie together.
一緒に勉強しませんか。
Shall we study together?
Using the te-form to connect actions, often implying doing something together in sequence or as a joint activity.
食べて一緒に遊ぼう。
Let's eat and then play together.
Two or more people perform an action on each other, like helping, teaching, or competing.
A group of people perform an action collectively, like working on a project or making a decision.
Using みんなで (everyone together) emphasizes the group acting as a whole.
みんなで歌を歌った。
We all sang a song together.
Formal expression for doing something jointly, often used in business or official contexts.
共同でプロジェクトを進める。
Proceed with the project jointly.
Two actions happen at the same time, often by different people or the same person multitasking.
Used when one person does two actions simultaneously. Not for multiple people.
This pattern is for one person doing two things at once, not for multiple people doing something together.
音楽を聴きながら勉強する。
Study while listening to music.
Means 'at the same time'. Can be used for multiple people or events.
二人は同時に話し始めた。
The two started talking at the same time.
一緒に is the default for 'together' and simply means accompanying someone. 合う adds a nuance of mutual or reciprocal action. For example, 一緒に話す means 'talk together (with someone)', while 話し合う means 'discuss (with each other)'.
Not all verbs naturally take 合う. It is mostly used for actions that involve interaction. For simple accompaniment, stick with 一緒に.