do something together (合う) – Japanese Grammar 合う (au)

Q: What JLPT level is 合う?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use 合う in a sentence?

Attach 合う to the appropriate verb or noun form. Do something together

Q: Is 合う formal or casual Japanese?

合う can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

合う

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

do something together

にしては ni shite wa はもちろん wa mochiron 切れない kirenai がたい gatai は別として wa betsu toshite といっても to ittemo と言えば to ieba 上に ue ni すでに sude ni もしも〜たら moshimo~tara ても始まらない temo hajimaranai だけど dakedo どんなに～ても donna ni~temo くらい・ぐらい kurai / gurai ことはない koto wa nai ほど～ない hodo~nai に比べて ni kurabete ために tame ni そうもない sou mo nai に慣れる ni nareru にしては ni shite wa はもちろん wa mochiron 切れない kirenai がたい gatai は別として wa betsu toshite といっても to ittemo と言えば to ieba 上に ue ni すでに sude ni もしも〜たら moshimo~tara ても始まらない temo hajimaranai だけど dakedo どんなに～ても donna ni~temo くらい・ぐらい kurai / gurai ことはない koto wa nai ほど～ない hodo~nai に比べて ni kurabete ために tame ni そうもない sou mo nai に慣れる ni nareru

🃏 Flashcard

合う

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do something together

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading au

Post ID 50816

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

do something together

📖 How to use it

Expresses doing something together with others, mutually, or in cooperation.

Attaches to Attach to the ます-stem (連用形) of a verb: 話し合う, 助け合う, 待ち合わせる (irregular but common).

This pattern combines a verb stem with 合う to mean 'to do together' or 'to do mutually'. It implies that two or more people are involved in the same action, often with a sense of reciprocity or cooperation. For example, 話し合う means 'to talk things over together', and 助け合う means 'to help each other'. It can also mean 'to meet' as in 待ち合わせる (to arrange to meet). Note that the resulting verb is always ichidan (godan? actually it's godan, but check: 話し合う is godan), but conjugation follows the standard rules for 五段 verbs ending in う. The pattern is common in everyday speech and writing, but it is not overly casual; it is neutral and can be used in most contexts.

友達と意見を出し合って、計画を決めた。

Tomodachi to iken o dashi atte, keikaku o kimeta.

We shared opinions with friends and decided on the plan.

隣の人と助け合って、重い荷物を運んだ。

Tonari no hito to tasukeatte, omoi nimotsu o hakonda.

I carried the heavy luggage together with the person next to me, helping each other.

クラスメートと連絡を取り合って、集まる時間を決めよう。

Kurasumeeto to renraku o tori atte, atsumaru jikan o kimeyou.

Let's get in touch with our classmates and decide on a time to meet.

Not 一緒に (issho ni) + verb 合う focuses on the mutual or reciprocal action between people (e.g., 話し合う = discuss with each other), while 一緒に simply means 'together' without emphasizing reciprocity. Use 合う when the action is shared or done to each other.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

合う

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat 合う three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using 合う. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

← Previous

あまりにも

too…; so much… that; excessively~

ばいい

should, can, it’d be good if

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern 合う mean? ▼

Do something together

What JLPT level is 合う? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use 合う in a sentence? ▼

Attach 合う (au) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is 合う formal or casual Japanese? ▼

合う is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember 合う long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.