N2 · Expressions (N2)
とともに: together with; in step with
together with; as; at the same time as
A formal "with": beside a companion, in step with a change, or at the same moment as another action.
とともに is the formal counterpart of と一緒に, "together with": 家族とともに暮らす, "to live with one's family". It is usually written in kana, and the kanji spelling と共に also appears. In conversation it sounds like a speech; people say と一緒に.
Its most useful job at this level is change in step with change. After a noun that names a process — 年齢, 時代, 経済の発展 — it says that as one thing moves, a second moves with it: 年をとるとともに、体力が落ちる, "as you get older, your stamina declines". English says "as" or "with"; Japanese uses the companion phrase, because the two things travel together.
After the dictionary form of a verb, or after a noun, it can also join two things that happen at once or are both true, and so can an i-adjective (a na-adjective or a noun takes である in front): 結果を発表するとともに、謝罪した, "announced the results and at the same time apologised"; 喜びとともに不安もある, "there is anxiety as well as joy". This is the language of news and reports.
English "with" also marks a tool — "eat with chopsticks", "write with a pen" — and learners who have met とともに as "with" carry it over. A tool or a means is で. とともに needs a companion or a parallel event, never an instrument.
The form
| together with (formal) | 家族とともに |
| the kanji spelling | 家族と共に |
| as … changes (noun) | 年齢とともに |
| as … changes (verb) | 年をとるとともに |
| at the same time as | 発表するとともに |
| as well as | 喜びとともに |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
After a person or a group, とともに is a formal "together with".
仲間とともに、新しい会社を作った。He founded a new company together with his colleagues.
After a process, it means "as this changes, that changes too".
技術の進歩とともに、生活は便利になった。As technology advanced, life became more convenient.
After a verb, it joins two actions done at the same time.
社長は事実を認めるとともに、謝罪した。The president admitted the facts and, at the same time, apologised.
A tool or a means takes で, not とともに.
ペンで名前を書いてください。Please write your name with a pen.
A closer look
とともに, にしたがって and につれて
Three phrases say "as one thing changes, so does another". につれて stresses a gradual, continuous change; にしたがって suggests that the second change follows from the first. とともに is the most formal and the least specific: the two simply move together.
Only とともに can also mean a single moment shared by two events, because only it also means "together with". 開会を宣言するとともに is one instant with two things in it. That second use is why the phrase is so frequent in news reports, which constantly need to say that an organisation did two things at once.
How to spot it
- とともに
- と共に
- るとともに
Example sentences
年齢とともに、考え方も変わってきた。As I have got older, my way of thinking has changed too.
選手たちはファンとともに勝利を喜んだ。The players celebrated the victory together with the fans.
人口の増加とともに、住宅が不足してきた。As the population grew, housing began to run short.
卒業はうれしいとともに、少し寂しくもある。Graduating is a happy thing and, at the same time, a little sad.
彼女は夫とともに店を経営している。She runs the shop together with her husband.
時代とともに、言葉の意味も変化する。The meanings of words change with the times.
7 more example sentences
経済の発展とともに、環境問題が深刻になった。As the economy developed, environmental problems became serious.
日が沈むとともに、気温が急に下がった。As the sun went down, the temperature dropped sharply.
新製品を発表するとともに、価格も公開した。They announced the new product and published the price at the same time.
感謝の気持ちとともに、この花を贈ります。I send these flowers with my thanks.
試合終了の笛とともに、観客が立ち上がった。As the final whistle blew, the crowd rose to its feet.
地域の人々とともに、町の清掃を行った。We cleaned up the town together with local residents.
兄とともに育った町を久しぶりに訪ねた。I went back, after a long time, to the town where my brother and I grew up.
Worth knowing (1)
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ともに on its own means both
ともに also stands alone as an adverb after a group, meaning "both" or "alike": 夫婦ともに医者だ, "husband and wife are both doctors". It is the same word, turned from "together with" into "together, all of them".
両親ともに元気です。My parents are both well.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English "with" is both a companion and a tool, and Japanese keeps them apart. とともに means that two things go along together; chopsticks do not keep you company, they are what you eat with. An instrument is marked with で.
とともに is "with" for companions and for changes that move together — a tool takes で.
Your turn
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