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
遭う
あう (au)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "meet" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 会います and 遭う.
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, 遭う (あう (au)) maps to "to meet (an unpleasant situation); to encounter" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often used for encountering difficulties, accidents, or bad experiences. Rarely used for meeting people casually.. 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 "遭う"
彼は交通事故に遭ってしまった。
He got into a traffic accident.
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.". "遭う" represents "to meet (an unpleasant situation); to encounter".