伴う・伴なう|ともなうtomonau[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
伴う伴う(ともなう) is the more common written form. For learners, choose it as the default spelling.
伴なう伴なう(ともなう) is less common and uses irregular okurigana. Learners should prefer 伴う(ともなう) when writing.
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto accompany; to go hand in hand with; to be consequent uponusu. 〜に伴う
    Misery and sorrow accompany war.
  2. godan verb, transitive verbto be accompanied by; to bring with; to take with; to be involved inusu. 〜を伴う
Conjugation
Dictionary form伴う(ともなう)
Polite (masu)伴います(ともないます)
Negative (nai)伴わない(ともなわない)
polite (masen)伴いません(ともないません)
classical zu / nu伴わず・伴わぬ(ともなわず・ともなわぬ)
Past (ta)伴った(ともなった)
polite (mashita)伴いました(ともないました)
Past negative (nakatta)伴わなかった(ともなわなかった)
polite (masen deshita)伴いませんでした(ともないませんでした)
Te form伴って(ともなって)
Potential伴える(ともなえる)
Passive伴われる(ともなわれる)
Causative伴わせる(ともなわせる)
Causative passive伴わせられる・伴わされる(ともなわせられる・ともなわされる)
Conditional (ba)伴えば(ともなえば)
tara伴ったら(ともなったら)
Volitional伴おう(ともなおう)
polite (mashou)伴いましょう(ともないましょう)
Imperative伴え(ともなえ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym同行どうこうNeutralTravelling together with someone; the focus is on the joint trip. 「伴う」 also covers taking someone along and results that come with something.
  • Synonym付き添うつきそうNeutralAttending on someone to look after them, e.g. a sick person. 「伴う」 can mean taking someone along, or things coming with something.
  • Synonym随伴ずいはんWrittenWritten noun for attending or accompanying; in maths, the adjoint matrix. 「伴う」 is a verb.
  • Synonym同伴どうはんNeutralGoing along in someone's company, as in 「同伴者」. 「伴う」 stresses what comes attached as a result.
  • Synonym付随ふずいWrittenWritten word for happening incidentally, as in 「付随的な問題」. 「伴う」 is the more common choice.
  • SynonymついていくNeutralGoing after someone or keeping up with them. 「伴う」 means taking someone along or something coming with, and leans written.
  • Synonym連れ立つつれだつNeutralSetting out together in company. 「伴う」 leans written and can also mean something arising incidentally.
  • Synonym連れて行くつれていくNeutralTaking someone to a place; common in everyday speech. 「伴う」 leans written and also covers things accompanying.
  • Synonym相伴うあいともなうWrittenWritten word for accompanying one another or doing something together. 「伴う」 is much more common.
  • Related添うそうNeutralStaying by someone's side, or meeting expectations as in 「期待に添う」. 「伴う」 stresses what arises along with something.
  • Related付帯ふたいWrittenWritten word for something incidental or ancillary, as in 「付帯条件」. 「伴う」 is a verb.
  • Related付き添いつきそいNeutralA noun for the person who attends and cares for someone. 「伴う」 stresses the accompanying relationship itself.
  • Related連れるつれるNeutralTaking a person or animal along; very common in speech. 「伴う」 leans written and also covers results that come with something.
  • Related内包ないほうWrittenWritten, academic term for containing something within. 「伴う」 stresses what comes along with something.
  • Related随行ずいこうWrittenWritten noun for attendants or an entourage, e.g. a prime minister's party. 「伴う」 is broader in scope.
  • Related含むふくむNeutralContaining or including something within. 「伴う」 stresses what appears along with something.
  • Related従うしたがうNeutralFollowing or obeying a person, rule or order. 「伴う」 stresses what results from something.
  • Related介添えかいぞえNeutralA helper at one's side, such as a caregiver, bridesmaid or best man. 「伴う」 is the act of accompanying.
  • Relatedお供おともNeutralAn attendant or companion who goes along, used humbly. 「伴う」 stresses bringing someone or something coming with.
  • Relatedご一緒ごいっしょFormalFormal honorific for going or doing something together, as in 「ご一緒します」. 「伴う」 leans toward written prose.
  • Relatedついて回るついてまわるNeutralFollowing someone around like a shadow, as in 「不安がついて回る」. 「伴う」 is more neutral in tone.
  • Antonym離れるはなれるNeutralTo leave or part from; the opposite of the accompanying sense of 「伴う」.

Use 「伴う」 when something comes along with or results from something else — 「危険を伴う」「成長に伴って」 — or when formally taking someone along, as in 「妻を伴って」. For simply travelling together say 「同行」; for attending and caring for someone, 「付き添う」; for taking a person along in everyday speech, 「連れる」; to leave or part, 「離れる」. The rest are narrower: written nouns such as 「随伴」「付随」「付帯」, the humble 「お供」, the honorific 「ご一緒」, and 「連れ立つ」 for going together.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 一緒いっしょに行いく。ついていく。
  2. 連つれて行いく。
  3. 見合みあう。釣り合つりあう。
  4. ある物事ものごとに付随ふずいし別べつの物事ものごとが生しょうじる。
  5. 付随ふずいして別べつの物事ものごとを併せ持あわせもつ。またその可能性かのうせいがある。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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