Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "会います", "出会う", "出迎える", "遭う"
All represent the core concept "meet", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
会います
あいます (aimasu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
出会う
であう (deau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
出迎える
でむかえる (demukaeru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
遭う
あう (au)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "meet" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "会います", "出会う", "出迎える", "遭う" based on context.
- 会います (あいます (aimasu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to meet" and is used when 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'..
- 出会う (であう (deau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to meet (by chance); to encounter" and is used when Intransitive verb. Implies a chance encounter or meeting someone/something unexpectedly. Often used with に.
- 出迎える (でむかえる (demukaeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to meet; to greet (a visitor, etc.)" and is used when Transitive verb. Specifically means to go out to meet someone who is arriving.
- 遭う (あう (au) - Level: N3): Maps to "to meet (an unpleasant situation); to encounter" and is used when Often used for encountering difficulties, accidents, or bad experiences. Rarely used for meeting people casually..
Context for "会います"
明日は友達に会います。
I will meet my friend tomorrow.
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.
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.
Context for "遭う"
彼は交通事故に遭ってしまった。
He got into a traffic accident.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "to meet" in the context: "I will meet my friend tomorrow.".