Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Meet" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "meet", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
会います
あいます (aimasu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
出会う
であう (deau)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "meet" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 会います and 出会う.
In Japanese, 会います (あいます (aimasu)) is typically associated with "to meet" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 人や約束に遭遇する際に使います。会う相手は「に」で示されます。/ Used when meeting people or appointments. The person met is marked with 'に'..
On the other hand, 出会う (であう (deau)) maps to "to meet (by chance); to encounter" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Intransitive verb. Implies a chance encounter or meeting someone/something unexpectedly. Often used with に. A literal translation of "meet" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "会います"
明日は友達に会います。
I will meet my friend tomorrow.
Bilingual Context for "出会う"
彼は駅で偶然、昔の友人と出会った。
He coincidentally met an old friend at the station.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "明日は友達に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I will meet my friend tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "会います" fits here because it means "to meet" in the context of: "I will meet my friend tomorrow.". "出会う" represents "to meet (by chance); to encounter".