Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Meet" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "meet", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
出会う
であう (deau)
N3 / 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 出会う and 出迎える.
In Japanese, 出会う (であう (deau)) is typically associated with "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.
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 "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.
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: "彼は駅で偶然、昔の友人と出会った。" (Meaning: "He coincidentally met an old friend at the station.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "出会う" fits here because it means "to meet (by chance); to encounter" in the context of: "He coincidentally met an old friend at the station.". "出迎える" represents "to meet; to greet (a visitor, etc.)".