JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N3 grammar · Chapter 8

～とともに

Together with someone, alongside an event, or as things change

You’ll be able to describe acting together, events occurring together, and linked developments with ～とともに.

Illustration of the scene described by Mei walked along the quiet forest path together with Grandfather.
Read it first

芽衣めいは祖父そふとともに、静しずかな森もりの小道こみちを歩あるきました。

mei wa sofu to tomo ni, shizuka na mori no komichi o arukimashita.

What do you think this sentence means?

Mei walked along the quiet forest path together with Grandfather.

Why it means that

Do something together

～とともに means “together with” when used with a person or group. In formal writing, it can also mean “along with” for events or gradual changes.

Examples

チームの仲間なかまとともに、大会たいかいに参加さんかしました。

chiimu no nakama to tomo ni, taikai ni sanka shimashita.

I took part in the competition together with my teammates.

雨あめがやむとともに、空そらが明あかるくなりました。

ame ga yamu to tomo ni, sora ga akaruku narimashita.

As the rain stopped, the sky grew brighter.

How it is built

Link a companion, event, or change

Use noun + とともに for a companion or a change occurring alongside something. Use dictionary-form verb + とともに for events that happen together. This pattern is more formal than 一緒いっしょに.

noun+とともに+action / change／dictionary-form verb+とともに+event
Example

時代じだいとともに、町まちの景色けしきも変かわった。

jidai to tomo ni, machi no keshiki mo kawatta.

Along with the times, the town’s scenery changed too.

Compare

～と一緒に vs ～とともに

Both mean “together with” a person. ～と一緒いっしょに is everyday speech; ～とともに says the same thing in a formal or written style.

  • ～と一緒に, together with

    家族かぞくと一緒いっしょに、旅行りょこうに行いきました。

    kazoku to issho ni, ryokou ni ikimashita.

    I went on a trip with my family.

    Natural in conversation.

  • ～とともに, together with (formal)

    家族かぞくとともに、旅行りょこうに行いきました。

    kazoku to tomo ni, ryokou ni ikimashita.

    I went on a trip together with my family.

    Same meaning; fits a letter, speech, or written report (for example 家族とともに、元気に過ごしております).

Examples

社長しゃちょうは社員しゃいんとともに、会社かいしゃの五十周年ごじっしゅうねんを祝いわった。

shachou wa shain to tomo ni, kaisha no gojisshuunen o iwatta.

The president celebrated the company’s fiftieth anniversary together with the employees.

年齢ねんれいとともに、体からだがだんだん硬かたくなってきた。

nenrei to tomo ni, karada ga dandan kataku natte kita.

With age, my body has gradually become stiffer.

試合しあい終了しゅうりょうの笛ふえが鳴なるとともに、観客かんきゃくから大おおきな拍手はくしゅが起おこった。

shiai shuuryou no fue ga naru to tomo ni, kankyaku kara ookina hakushu ga okotta.

As the final whistle blew, loud applause rose from the crowd.

7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.