Which one should you use?
While 一緒に行こう is used to say "Let's go together", you might use different phrases depending on the context: 一緒にやろう is used specifically to invite someone to join you in an activity ("Let's do it together") and 一緒に来て is a casual way to say "Come with me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 一緒に行こう is casual and should be used with friends or people of lower social status. For a polite tone when inviting someone you are not close to, use 一緒に行きませんか ("Won't you go with me?"). If you need to be formal, 参加してください means "please join (us)", while the highly formal and polite ご一緒にいらっしゃいませんか translates to "Would you accompany me?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 一緒に行こう, the verb 行こう is the volitional form of 行く (to go), which is used to express a suggestion or an invitation to do something together.
How do you pronounce it?
issho ni ikō
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, a polite invitation like 一緒に行きませんか is often declined softly at first to avoid appearing too eager or greedy.
- While 一緒 (issho) means 'together', it is derived from the word for 'one' 一 and 'place' 所, literally meaning 'in one place'.
- When using the polite 一緒に行きませんか, the negative form 'won't you' is actually more inviting than a positive statement.
Examples in context
- 一緒に行こう。Issho ni ikou.Let's go together.
- コンビニへ一緒に行こう。Konbini e issho ni ikou.Let's go to the convenience store together.
- ランチに一緒に行こうよ。Ranchi ni issho ni ikou yo.Come join me for lunch.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are at school during a break.
- 健太 Kentaコンビニに一緒に行こう。Konbini ni issho ni ikou.Join me at the convenience store.
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。何を買うの？Ii yo. Nani o kau no?Sure. What are you buying?
- 健太 Kenta飲み物を買いたいんだ。Nomimono o kaitai nda.I want to buy some drinks.
- 美咲 Misakiわかった。行こう！Wakatta. Ikou!Got it. Let's go!
