Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Meet" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "meet", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
あいます
あいます (aimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
出迎える
でむかえる (demukaeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "meet" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between あいます and 出迎える.
In Japanese, あいます (あいます (aimasu)) is typically associated with "to meet, to see (a person)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents The polite form of 会う.
On the other hand, 出迎える (でむかえる (demukaeru)) maps to "to meet; to greet (a visitor, etc.)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Transitive verb. Specifically means to go out to meet someone who is arriving. A literal translation of "meet" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "あいます"
週末に友達にあいます。
I meet my friend on the weekend.
Bilingual Context for "出迎える"
空港まで客を出迎えに行きました。
I went to the airport to meet the guest.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "週末に友達に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I meet my friend on the weekend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "あいます" fits here because it means "to meet, to see (a person)" in the context of: "I meet my friend on the weekend.". "出迎える" represents "to meet; to greet (a visitor, etc.)".