What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 私と一緒にいて is composed of watashi (I/me), to (with), issho ni (together) and ite (the te-form of the verb to be/exist).
Which one should you use?
While 私と一緒にいて is a direct way to say "stay with me," you can use issho ni ite informally among friends by omitting the pronoun. For a more polite and formal request, you can add kudasai to the end to form 私と一緒にいてください. In intimate or romantic contexts, such as in songs, speakers often use the colloquial そばにいて, which literally means "be by my side."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
issho ni ite is an informal way to say "stay with me" used among friends. Adding kudasai to the end of the phrase makes the request more polite and formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual conversation, the pronoun watashi to is often omitted if the context makes it clear who the person should stay with, leaving just issho ni ite. To express the specific desire "I want you to stay with me," you use the te-form of the verb followed by hoshii, resulting in 一緒にいてほしい.
How do you pronounce it?
watashi to issho ni ite
Did you know?
- The word 一緒に ('together') is derived from 一緒, which originally meant 'one' and 'same'. Literally, it describes the state of becoming 'one' with another person.
- While English uses 'stay' for both people and hotels, Japanese uses いる ('iru') for people in 一緒にいて and 泊まる ('tomaru') for staying at a lodging.
- In many Japanese songs, you might hear the much more masculine or rough version 俺のそばにいろ (ore no soba ni iro).
Examples in context
- 私と一緒にいてほしいの。I want you to stay with me.This sentence shows how to express the desire for someone to stay with you using 私と一緒にいて.Tatoeba #9838008 by bunbuku, translation #71059 by CK
- 私と一緒にいてもらいたい。I would like you to stay with me.This sentence demonstrates a slightly more formal way to express the desire for someone to stay with you using 私と一緒にいて.Tatoeba #164894 by bunbuku, translation #249613 by Dejo
- もう少しだけ、私と一緒にいて。Mou sukoshi dake, watashi to issho ni ite.Please stay with me for just a little longer.
Example conversation
Yui is feeling lonely and wants Yota to stay a bit longer at the park.
- 結衣 Yui私と一緒にいて。Watashi to issho ni ite.Stay with me.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ、どこにも行かないよ。Ii yo, doko ni mo ikanai yo.Okay, I'm not going anywhere.
- 結衣 Yui本当に？ありがとう。Hontou ni? Arigatou.Really? Thank you.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、そんなに不安にならないで。Yui, sonna ni fuan ni naranaide.Yui, don't be so anxious.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
