Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Meeting" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "meeting", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
打合せ
うちあわせ (uchi-awase)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
集会
しゅうかい (shūkai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "meeting" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 打合せ and 集会.
In Japanese, 打合せ (うちあわせ (uchi-awase)) is typically associated with "meeting, preliminary discussion, arrangement" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a preparatory meeting or discussion, often informal, to align plans or confirm details before a main event or task. Can be used as a noun.
On the other hand, 集会 (しゅうかい (shūkai)) maps to "meeting, assembly, gathering" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Usually refers to a formal or organized gathering of people for a specific purpose. A literal translation of "meeting" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "打合せ"
明日、プロジェクトの打合せがあります。
Tomorrow, we have a meeting for the project.
Bilingual Context for "集会"
学校の体育館で集会が開かれた。
A meeting was held in the school gym.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "明日、プロジェクトの ＿＿＿ があります。" (Meaning: "Tomorrow, we have a meeting for the project.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "打合せ" fits here because it means "meeting, preliminary discussion, arrangement" in the context of: "Tomorrow, we have a meeting for the project.". "集会" represents "meeting, assembly, gathering".