Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of people or groups collaborating, cooperating, or functioning jointly in Japanese. It includes common verbs, nouns, and set phrases, organized by the nuance of the collaboration.
To work jointly with others toward a shared goal, often in a professional or organized setting.
The most common and neutral way to say 'cooperate' or 'work together'. Used in business, school, and everyday contexts.
このプロジェクトに協力してください。
Please cooperate on this project.
They worked together to solve the problem.
Literally 'do jointly'. Emphasizes shared effort or joint execution. Often used for projects, research, or events.
この研究は大学と共同で行っています。
We are conducting this research jointly with the university.
To link up or coordinate efforts, often between organizations or departments. Slightly more formal than 協力する.
各部署が連携して業務を進めています。
Each department is working together to advance the work.
Literally 'combine forces'. A slightly more emotive or motivational way to say 'work together', often used in speeches or team-building.
みんなで力を合わせて頑張りましょう。
Let's all work together and do our best.
To be engaged in work or activity in the same physical or virtual space, not necessarily on the same task.
The most direct translation for 'work together' in the sense of being colleagues or sharing a workplace.
私たちは同じ会社で一緒に働いています。
We work together at the same company.
A slightly more formal or literary version of 一緒に働く. Often used in written contexts or speeches.
彼と共に働けて光栄です。
I am honored to work together with him.
To describe parts, systems, or elements that operate jointly to produce an effect.
To work in conjunction, interlock, or operate together. Used for machines, systems, or abstract elements.
これらの部品は連動して動きます。
These parts work together (in conjunction).
A formal/literary pattern meaning 'combined with' or 'working together with'. Often used as AとBが相まって.
努力と才能が相まって成功した。
Hard work and talent worked together to bring success.
The state or concept of working together, often as a desirable quality.
The noun form of 協力する. Means cooperation or collaboration.
ご協力ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your cooperation.
Joint work or collaborative task. Emphasizes the shared labor aspect.
これは共同作業で完成させた作品です。
This is a piece we completed through working together.
協力する focuses on cooperating toward a goal, while 一緒に働く simply means sharing a workplace or being colleagues. Use 協力する when you need someone's active help or collaboration.
この問題を解決するために協力してください。
Please cooperate to solve this problem.
彼とは5年間一緒に働いています。
I've been working together with him for 5 years.
For machines or systems, do not use 一緒に働く. Use 連動する or 組み合わさって動く instead.
これらの歯車は連動している。
These gears work together.
Loanword from English. Used commonly in sports and business to mean good teamwork.
このチームはチームワークがいい。
This team has good teamwork.