Translation guide
To accompany someone, often without being explicitly invited or as a follower. In Japanese, the expression depends on whether you are joining casually, following someone, or tagging along uninvited.
To go with someone, often when they are already going somewhere, in a friendly or informal way.
The most natural way to say you'll go with someone. It doesn't carry the nuance of being uninvited.
If you're going shopping, can I tag along?
Literally 'follow and go'. Used when you go along with someone who is leading. Can be neutral or imply tagging along.
Formal term for accompanying someone, often used in business or official contexts.
To go after someone, often without them necessarily inviting you, or simply to follow their lead.
Emphasizes following behind someone. Can be neutral or imply tagging along without invitation.
The child tagged along after its mother.
Colloquial, implies sticking close to someone, often used for children or pets, or when someone tags along persistently.
My little brother tags along everywhere I go.
To join a group or activity without being explicitly asked, sometimes with a negative nuance of being a third wheel or intruding.
Humble expression used when you join someone, acknowledging you might be intruding. Polite and common.
Can I tag along for lunch? If it's not a bother.
Literally 'ride on the opportunity'. Used when you take advantage of someone else's plan or action to join in.
Means 'go while you're at it', implying you join because you have another reason to be there, not necessarily invited.
There is no single Japanese verb that directly translates 'tag along'. Using a literal translation like タグする or タグアロング would not be understood. Instead, choose a phrase based on the nuance you want to convey.
Can I tag along?
ついて行く implies following someone who is leading, while 一緒に行く simply means going together. Use ついて行く when the other person is the initiator, and 一緒に行く for a mutual plan.
I tagged along with him (he led the way).
I tagged along to my friend's house.
I ended up tagging along on the department head's business trip.
I tagged along in his car to go shopping.
If you're going to the station, can I tag along to the convenience store?
I went with him (we went together).