Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Meeting" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "meeting", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
会議
かいぎ (kaigi)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
打ち合わせ
うちあわせ (uchiawase)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "meeting" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 会議 and 打ち合わせ.
In Japanese, 会議 (かいぎ (kaigi)) is typically associated with "meeting, conference" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A formal gathering of people to discuss specific topics, often in a business or organizational setting. 複数人が集まって、特定の議題について話し合う場です。.
On the other hand, 打ち合わせ (うちあわせ (uchiawase)) maps to "meeting, preliminary meeting, arrangement" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a preparatory or brief meeting to discuss details or make arrangements, often within a company. It's generally less formal than 会議. A literal translation of "meeting" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "会議"
午後3時から会議があります。
There is a meeting from 3 PM.
Bilingual Context for "打ち合わせ"
明日のプレゼンテーションについて、少し打ち合わせをしましょう。
Let's have a brief meeting about tomorrow's presentation.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "午後3時から ＿＿＿ があります。" (Meaning: "There is a meeting from 3 PM.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "会議" fits here because it means "meeting, conference" in the context of: "There is a meeting from 3 PM.". "打ち合わせ" represents "meeting, preliminary meeting, arrangement".