とともに

Together with

Level 3Sounds Like totomoni

とともに is a formal pattern used to describe things happening in tandem. It covers physical accompaniment (together with), simultaneous states (as well as), and proportional changes (as A changes, B changes).

How It Works

とともに (often written as と共に) is primarily used in formal writing, speeches, and news reports. It has three main functions:

1. Accompaniment: A formal version of と一緒に（いっしょに） (together with). This usage is specifically for joint actions with people, groups, or entities (e.g., 家族（かぞく）とともに - together with one's family).
2. Simultaneity/Addition: Used to say that two events happen at the exact same time, or that someone/something has two qualities at once (A as well as B). For example, ベルの音（おと）とともに (with the sound of the bell). When used for states or identities, you must use であるとともに with な-adjectives or nouns.
3. Proportional Change: Used to show that as one thing changes, another change occurs alongside it. This function requires change-related vocabulary (e.g., 普及（ふきゅう）, 発達（はったつ）, 進歩（しんぽ）). Both とともに and につれて involve gradual change, but とともに is more formal and emphasizes that the two changes are occurring in tandem or accompanying one another. This usage typically describes natural or objective changes and does not express the speaker's volition.

Morphology:

  • Nouns (Entities/Actions): Noun + とともに
  • Verbs (Change): Dictionary Form + とともに
  • い-Adjectives: Dictionary Form + とともに
  • な-Adjectives / Nouns (State/Identity): である + とともに

Examples (5)

  1. お正月は家族とともに過ごしたい。

    I want to spend the New Year together with my family.

    Word by Word: New Year (topic) family with together spend want to.

    This uses the 'accompaniment' meaning. It is a formal way to say 'together with'.

  2. 彼は優れた学者であるとともに、良き父親でもある。

    He is a great scholar as well as a good father.

    Word by Word: He (topic) excellent scholar is at the same time, good father also is.

    This uses the 'addition' meaning. Note the use of である because 'scholar' is a noun.

  3. 時代の変化とともに、人々の考え方も変わってきた。

    As the times changed, people's ways of thinking also changed.

    Word by Word: Era's change with together, people's way of thinking also changed.

    This demonstrates 'proportional change', where the shift in the era triggers a shift in mindset.

  4. この仕事は喜びとともに、大きな責任を伴う。

    This job brings great responsibility along with joy.

    Word by Word: This work (topic) joy with together, big responsibility involves.

    Shows two things (joy and responsibility) coexisting simultaneously.

  5. 普及が進むとともに、価格が下がっていった。

    As the product became more widespread, the price went down.

    Word by Word: Spread progress with together, price (subject) went down.

    Uses the dictionary form of the verb (進む) to show a proportional change over time.

Common Mistakes

  • Using とともに in casual conversation.

    明日、友達とともに買い物に行く。
    明日、友達と一緒に買い物に行く。

    とともに is very formal. Using it with friends for a casual activity like shopping sounds unnaturally stiff and robotic.

  • Forgetting 'de aru' with nouns or na-adjectives when expressing 'as well as'.

    この町は静かとともに、不便だ。
    この町は静かであるとともに、不便だ。

    When describing two states (adjectives/nouns), you must use the 'de aru' form to link them correctly.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

とともにLevel 3Together with

Learn This First

The pattern 'とともに' is a formal expression built by combining the particles 'と', 'も', and 'に'. To understand it, a learner must first be familiar with the basic functions of these particles, particularly 'と' for accompaniment and 'も' for addition/emphasis. It is used to describe two actions or changes that occur simultaneously or in tandem.

Words in This Pattern

共に