Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Together" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "together", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
共々
ともども (tomodomo)
N2 / 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 共々 and もろとも.
In Japanese, 共々 (ともども (tomodomo)) is typically associated with "together, with, along with" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents More formal or literary than 「一緒に.
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 "共々"
家族共々、お祝いの席に参加しました。
My whole family and I attended the celebration.
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: "家族 ＿＿＿ 、お祝いの席に参加しました。" (Meaning: "My whole family and I attended the celebration.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "共々" fits here because it means "together, with, along with" in the context of: "My whole family and I attended the celebration.". "もろとも" represents "together with; along with; both...and; lock, stock, and barrel".