Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
The grammar pattern と共に (tomoni) has two main meanings: 1) ‘together with’ or ‘along with’ (similar to と一緒に), and 2) ‘at the same time as’ or ‘as… happens, … also happens,’ indicating that one event or change accompanies another.
🎯 Primary Function
It functions as a conjunction or particle that connects two nouns or clauses, indicating either joint action/existence or a simultaneous or correlated occurrence of events/changes.
📋 Grammar Structure
Noun + と共に
Verb (dictionary form) + と共に
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used in formal conversations, speeches, and presentations.
Informal Situations
Less common in very casual spoken Japanese, often replaced by と一緒に or simpler constructions.
Written Language
Frequently used in written language, including articles, reports, literature, and formal documents.
Spoken Language
Used in more formal or structured spoken contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions.
💡 Common Applications
Indicating joint action or existence
Used to show that someone or something is doing something or existing together with someone/something else. This usage is slightly more formal or literary than と一緒に.
Example: 家族と共に夕食をとった。 (I had dinner together with my family.)
Indicating accompanying changes or events
Used to show that as one event or change happens, another event or change happens simultaneously or as a direct consequence. Often used to describe gradual changes over time.
Example: 時間が経つと共に、彼の日本語は上手になった。 (As time passed, his Japanese became better.)
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Frequency
Moderately frequent in written Japanese and formal spoken contexts. Less frequent in casual conversation.
Difficulty
N3 – Requires understanding the two main meanings and the nuance compared to similar expressions like と一緒に or につれて.
Example Sentences
両親と共に故郷を訪れた。
I visited my hometown together with my parents.
そのニュースは瞬く間に世界中に広がると共に、大きな波紋を呼んだ。
As the news spread around the world in an instant, it also caused a large stir.
技術の進歩と共に、私たちの生活はより便利になった。
Along with the progress of technology, our lives have become more convenient.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Two main meanings
Remember the two core meanings: “together with” (connecting entities) and “as… happens, … also happens” (connecting simultaneous/concomitant events/changes).
Example: 妻と共に新しいビジネスを始めた。(Together with my wife, I started a new business.) vs. 経験を積むと共に、自信がついた。(As I gained experience, I gained confidence.)
Slightly formal/literary
When meaning “together with,” と共に is slightly more formal or literary than と一緒に.
Example: パーティーに友達と一緒に行った。(Casual) vs. 式典に友人と共に参加した。(More formal)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it incorrectly for simple “together with”
✅ While it can mean “together with,” ensure the context isn’t overly casual. と一緒に is usually safer for everyday “with someone/something”.
と私は友達と共に映画を見た。(Awkward in casual speech) -> 友達と一緒に映画を見た。(Natural)
❌ Incorrect verb form
✅ Always use the dictionary form (Vる) when connecting verbs.
年をとっていると共に… (Incorrect) -> 年をとると共に… (Correct)
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Moderately polite or formal, suitable for situations where a slightly elevated tone is appropriate.
Social Situations: Suitable for presentations, speeches, formal writing, or describing significant life changes or societal trends.
Regional Variations: Usage is standard across regions, though frequency might vary slightly.
🔍 Subtle Differences
とともに vs. と一緒に
ともに (と共に) is slightly more formal/literary and can also indicate accompanying changes. 一緒に is more common and casual for simple “together with” or “at the same time (doing the same action)”.
When to use: Use と共に in formal contexts or when emphasizing that changes are happening concurrently. Use と一緒に in casual conversation for “together with”.
とともに vs. につれて / に従って
All can indicate change over time. と共に can also connect two nouns meaning “together with”. につれて and に従って more strictly focus on proportional or consequential change (“as X changes, Y also changes accordingly”). と共に can sometimes just mean “at the same time as” without strict proportionality.
When to use: Use と共に for both “together with” and “as… happens, … also happens”. Use につれて or に従って specifically when describing a change in Y that happens in proportion to or following a change in X (e.g., 山を登るにつれて、景色が良くなった – As I climbed the mountain, the view got better).
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📝 Conjugation Notes
Connects directly to nouns and the dictionary form of verbs. No special conjugation needed for と共に itself.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
と・も・に (to mo ni). The pitch accent is typically flat.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 共 (kyou/tomo) meaning “together” or “both”. Visualizing two things happening “together” or “along with” each other can help.
Practice Exercises
時間が経つ（ ）、植物は枯れていった。
につれて
によって
とともに
とかけて
彼は友（ ）山に登った。
を
と共に
へ
から
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