Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Together" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "together", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
一緒に
いっしょに (isshoni)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
もろとも
もろとも (morotomo)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "together" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 一緒に and もろとも.
In Japanese, 一緒に (いっしょに (isshoni)) is typically associated with "together" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when two or more people or things do something collaboratively or simultaneously. It is an adverb and often precedes a verb of action..
On the other hand, もろとも (もろとも (morotomo)) maps to "together with; along with; both...and; lock, stock, and barrel" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used to emphasize that something happens completely or with everything involved. It can have a strong or somewhat dramatic nuance, sometimes indicating something negative happening to everything/everyone involved.. A literal translation of "together" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "一緒に"
友達と一緒にお昼ご飯を食べました。
I ate lunch with my friend.
Bilingual Context for "もろとも"
列車は乗客もろとも谷底へ転落した。
The train, along with its passengers, plunged into the valley.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達と ＿＿＿ お昼ご飯を食べました。" (Meaning: "I ate lunch with my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "一緒に" fits here because it means "together" in the context of: "I ate lunch with my friend.". "もろとも" represents "together with; along with; both...and; lock, stock, and barrel".