Diese Seite in deiner Sprache
English فارسی العربية Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun #2,500 am häufigsten 7 Min. Lesezeit

待ち合わせ

machiawase
At the A1 level, you learn 'machiawase' as a simple noun for 'meeting someone.' You use it in very basic sentences like 'Where is the meeting?' (Machiawase wa doko?). It is one of the first words you use when trying to coordinate with classmates or teachers for a lunch or a study session. The focus is on the 'where' and 'when.' You might not use the verb form 'machiawaseru' yet, but you understand that 'machiawase' means a specific spot where you should stand and wait. It's a vital 'survival' word for navigating Japan, as it helps you find your friends in busy places like Shinjuku or Shibuya.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'machiawase' with the verb 'suru' (to do). You can now form complete sentences like 'Ashita, hachi-ji ni eki de machiawase shimashou' (Let's meet at the station at 8:00 tomorrow). You also start using compound nouns like 'machiawase basho' (meeting place). You understand the difference between meeting a friend (machiawase) and having a general promise (yakusoku). You can handle simple problems, like telling someone you will be 5 minutes late for the 'machiawase' using basic grammar patterns.
At the B1 level, you use 'machiawase' in more complex social situations. You can describe the process of meeting up, such as 'I was waiting at the meeting place, but she didn't come.' You use conditional forms like 'If we meet at the north exit, it will be easier.' You also start to recognize the word in various contexts, like reading a sign at a mall or hearing an announcement. Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'goryu' (joining up) and you can explain why a certain 'machiawase' spot is better than another based on crowds or weather.
At the B2 level, you understand the social nuances of 'machiawase.' You know that the choice of a 'machiawase' spot can reflect your consideration for the other person's travel route. You can use the word in business-casual settings, such as meeting a colleague before a joint site visit. You are comfortable using the word in passive or causative forms, like 'I was made to wait at the meeting place for an hour.' You also understand the cultural expectation of being slightly early for a 'machiawase' and can discuss this cultural aspect in Japanese.
At the C1 level, 'machiawase' is a word you use with total fluency, including its use in idiomatic or more literary contexts. You can discuss the evolution of 'machiawase' in the age of smartphones versus the 'analog' era when people had to wait without being able to message each other. You can use the word to describe abstract concepts, like the 'meeting' of two different ideas or cultures in a metaphorical sense. You also master the formal versions of the word and can switch registers effortlessly depending on who you are meeting.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'machiawase.' You can appreciate the word's presence in classical literature or modern poetry where it might symbolize fate, missed opportunities, or the transience of human connection. You can navigate the most complex social protocols involving meeting up with high-ranking individuals, where 'machiawase' might be replaced by highly honorific language (keigo), but you still understand the underlying 'machiawase' structure. You can debate the sociological implications of 'machiawase' spots in urban planning and their role in Japanese social cohesion.
Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

待ち合わせ in 30 Sekunden

  • A common noun for meeting up with someone.
  • Used with 'suru' to mean 'to meet up'.
  • Essential for social life and navigating Japanese cities.
  • Focuses on the coordination of time and place.

The Japanese term 待ち合わせ (Machiawase) is a fundamental noun in social Japanese, primarily referring to the act of meeting someone at a pre-arranged time and place. Unlike a formal 'appointment' (which might be yoyaku or yakusoku), machiawase specifically emphasizes the physical act of waiting for and joining another person. It is the bridge between being apart and being together. In a culture where punctuality is a virtue, the machiawase is the ritualistic starting point of almost every social interaction, from a casual coffee date to a group outing at a festival. The word itself is derived from the verb machiawaseru, combining matsu (to wait) and awaseru (to join/match), perfectly capturing the essence of 'waiting to match up' with someone else's arrival.

Social Nuance
It implies a mutual agreement to meet, usually for leisure or informal business, emphasizing the shared location.
Temporal Aspect
It focuses on the specific moment of meeting, often used with particles like 'ni' for time and 'de' for place.
Grammatical Role
As a noun, it often pairs with 'suru' to become a verb, or stands alone to describe the event itself.

駅の改札口で待ち合わせをしましょう。

— Let's meet up at the station ticket gate.

Understanding machiawase requires an appreciation for Japanese urban geography. Because Japanese cities are dense and train stations are sprawling, the 'where' of a machiawase is just as important as the 'when'. Famous spots like the Hachiko statue in Shibuya or the Silver Bell in Tokyo Station exist specifically to facilitate this noun. It is not just a meeting; it is a coordinated arrival. When you say machiawase, you are acknowledging the effort both parties make to navigate through crowds to find a single point of convergence.

五時にハチ公前で待ち合わせです。

— The meeting is at 5 o'clock in front of Hachiko.

急な用事で待ち合わせに遅れそうです。

— I might be late for our meeting due to urgent business.

The concept extends beyond just two people. It can refer to a shugo (gathering) of a large group, but machiawase remains the more intimate, common term for friends and colleagues. It carries a sense of anticipation. When someone asks, 'Where is the machiawase?', they are looking for that specific anchor point in their day. It is a word that builds connections, literally 'fitting' two schedules together into a single shared experience.

次の待ち合わせ場所はどこですか？

— Where is the next meeting place?

友達と待ち合わせをして、映画に行きました。

— I met up with my friend and went to a movie.

Using 待ち合わせ (Machiawase) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun that frequently functions as a Suru-verb. When you want to say 'to meet up,' you use machiawase (wo) suru. The particles you use with it are crucial for clarity. To specify the location, use the particle で (de). To specify the time, use に (ni). For example, '10-ji ni eki de machiawase suru' (Meet at the station at 10 o'clock). It is also very common to use it as a modifier for other nouns, such as machiawase basho (meeting place) or machiawase jikan (meeting time).

In casual conversation, you might hear people shorten the phrase or use it in its potential form. If you are asking someone where they want to meet, you would say, 'Doko de machiawase ni suru?' (Where shall we make the meeting place?). This 'ni suru' construction indicates a decision-making process. If you are confirming a plan, you might say, 'Machiawase wa hachi-ji de ii?' (Is 8 o'clock okay for the meeting?).

One subtle point is the difference between machiawase and au (to meet). While au is a general verb for meeting or seeing someone, machiawase specifically implies the coordination beforehand. You wouldn't use machiawase if you bumped into someone by accident. It is always intentional. In professional settings, while machiawase is used for meeting a colleague to go somewhere together, for a formal business meeting with a client, words like menkai or uchiawase are more appropriate. However, for a casual lunch with a coworker, machiawase is perfect.

You will encounter 待ち合わせ in a variety of everyday situations in Japan. The most common place is over messaging apps like LINE or via text. Friends will constantly send messages like 'Machiawase doko ni suru?' (Where should we meet?) or 'Machiawase basho tsuita yo' (I arrived at the meeting place). It is the bread and butter of social coordination.

Public announcements in large department stores or train stations also use this word. If someone is lost, an announcement might say, 'Machiawase no o-kyaku-sama...' (To the customer waiting for a meeting...). Additionally, you'll see signs in major stations designated as 'Machiawase Supotto' (Meeting Spots). These are often marked with distinctive statues, clocks, or colorful pillars to help people find each other in the crowd.

In media, such as anime or J-dramas, the machiawase scene is a classic trope. It’s often used to build tension—will the other person show up? Are they late? The image of someone standing under a rainy awning or checking their watch at a station exit is the visual shorthand for a machiawase. In literature, it can be used metaphorically to describe two fates meeting, though its daily usage remains very practical and grounded.

A frequent mistake for learners is confusing 待ち合わせ (Machiawase) with 約束 (Yakusoku). While both involve an agreement, yakusoku is a broader term meaning 'promise' or 'appointment.' You can have a yakusoku to finish your homework, but you cannot have a machiawase to finish your homework. Machiawase requires the physical act of meeting someone at a specific spot. If you say 'Eki de yakusoku ga arimasu,' it sounds like you have a 'promise' at the station, which is vague. 'Eki de machiawase ga arimasu' is much more natural for 'I'm meeting someone at the station.'

Another error is using machiawase for formal business meetings. If you are meeting a client for a presentation, use 打ち合わせ (Uchiawase). Uchiawase implies a meeting for the purpose of discussion or planning. Machiawase is just the act of meeting up. If you tell a boss 'Machiawase shimashou,' it might sound a bit too casual, as if you're just hanging out. Use o-me ni kakaru or menkai for high-level formal encounters.

Finally, be careful with the particle usage. Don't say 'Tomodachi o machiawase suru.' The person you are meeting is usually marked with と (to), meaning 'with.' So, 'Tomodachi to machiawase suru' is the correct way to say 'I will meet up with a friend.'

Several words share a semantic space with 待ち合わせ, and knowing the differences is key to sounding natural. 集合 (Shūgō) means 'gathering' or 'assembly.' It is often used for larger groups or official school/work trips. While machiawase feels like two or three friends, shūgō feels like a class of 30 people meeting at the airport. 合流 (Gōryū) means 'to join up' or 'to merge.' You use this when you are already out and someone else joins you later. For example, 'Later, Tanaka-san will gōryū with us at the restaurant.'

デート (Dēto) is specifically a romantic date. While a machiawase can be the start of a date, machiawase itself is platonic and neutral. 面会 (Menkai) is a formal word for 'interview' or 'meeting,' often used in hospitals or prisons. 受付 (Uketsuke) refers to a reception desk where you might check in for an appointment, but it's not the act of meeting itself. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right social distance and group size.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

""

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

待ち合わせはどこですか？

Where is the meeting place?

Topic marker 'wa' + question word 'doko'.

2

駅で待ち合わせです。

The meeting is at the station.

Location particle 'de' + 'desu'.

3

三時に待ち合わせです。

The meeting is at 3 o'clock.

Time particle 'ni' is implied or omitted in simple 'noun + desu' sentences.

4

待ち合わせ場所はここです。

The meeting place is here.

Compound noun 'machiawase basho'.

5

友達と待ち合わせ。

Meeting with a friend.

Partner particle 'to'.

6

待ち合わせ、いいですか？

Is the meeting okay?

Casual question with 'ii desu ka'.

7

ハチ公で待ち合わせ。

Meeting at Hachiko.

Proper noun + 'de'.

8

あそこで待ち合わせしましょう。

Let's meet over there.

Polite suggestion 'shimashou'.

1

明日の五時に待ち合わせしましょう。

Let's meet at 5 o'clock tomorrow.

Time + 'ni' + 'machiawase shimashou'.

2

どこで待ち合わせをしますか？

Where will you meet up?

Interrogative 'doko' + 'de' + 'suru'.

3

私はもう待ち合わせ場所に着きました。

I have already arrived at the meeting place.

Past tense 'tsukimashita'.

4

待ち合わせに遅れないでください。

Please don't be late for the meeting.

Negative request 'naide kudasai'.

5

改札口で待ち合わせをしましょう。

Let's meet at the ticket gate.

Specific location 'kaisatsuguchi'.

6

友達と待ち合わせをして、映画を見ました。

I met up with my friend and watched a movie.

Te-form for sequence of actions.

7

待ち合わせの時間を教えてください。

Please tell me the meeting time.

Noun + 'no' + Noun.

8

喫茶店で待ち合わせるのが好きです。

I like meeting up at coffee shops.

Verb 'machiawaseru' + nominalizer 'no'.

1

待ち合わせ場所を間違えてしまいました。

I accidentally went to the wrong meeting place.

Te-shimau for accidental action.

2

雨が降っているので、待ち合わせを中にしましょう。

Since it's raining, let's meet inside.

Reason 'node' + suggestion.

3

待ち合わせに間に合うように、早く家を出ました。

I left home early so that I would be in time for the meeting.

'Ma ni au you ni' (so that...).

4

彼との待ち合わせは、いつもこのカフェです。

My meeting with him is always at this cafe.

Particle 'to' + 'no' to modify a noun.

5

待ち合わせをキャンセルしてもいいですか？

Is it okay if I cancel the meeting?

Permission 'te mo ii desu ka'.

6

急な用事で、待ち合わせに行けなくなりました。

Due to urgent business, I can no longer go to the meeting.

Potential negative + 'naru'.

7

待ち合わせの相手がまだ来ません。

The person I'm meeting hasn't come yet.

'Machiawase no aite' (meeting partner).

8

駅の東口で待ち合わせることにしました。

We decided to meet at the east exit of the station.

'Koto ni suru' (to decide on).

1

待ち合わせ場所に早く着きすぎたので、本屋で時間を潰した。

I arrived at the meeting place too early, so I killed time at a bookstore.

Verb stem + 'sugiru' (too much).

2

待ち合わせの時間を一時間遅らせてもらえませんか？

Could you please delay the meeting time by one hour?

Causative + 'te moraemasen ka'.

3

渋谷のような複雑な駅での待ち合わせは大変だ。

Meeting up at a complex station like Shibuya is difficult.

'You na' (like/such as).

4

待ち合わせをしていた友人が、事故で遅れているらしい。

It seems the friend I was supposed to meet is delayed due to an accident.

Relative clause + 'rashii' (seems).

5

彼女は待ち合わせに一分でも遅れるのを嫌う。

She hates being even one minute late for a meeting.

'Ippun demo' (even one minute).

6

待ち合わせの約束を忘れるなんて、彼らしくない。

It's not like him to forget a meeting appointment.

'Rashikunai' (not like someone).

7

やっと待ち合わせの相手と合流することができた。

I was finally able to join up with the person I was meeting.

'Goryu' + 'koto ga dekita'.

8

待ち合わせ場所の詳細は、後でメールします。

I will email the details of the meeting place later.

'Shousai' (details).

1

待ち合わせ場所を指定する際は、分かりやすさを最優先すべきだ。

When specifying a meeting place, clarity should be the top priority.

'Sai wa' (when/on the occasion of).

2

携帯電話が普及する前は、待ち合わせはもっと忍耐が必要だった。

Before mobile phones became widespread, meeting up required more patience.

'Fukyu suru' (to spread/become common).

3

待ち合わせの時刻を過ぎても連絡がないと、不安になるものだ。

It is natural to feel anxious when there is no contact even after the meeting time has passed.

'Mono da' (natural tendency).

4

彼は待ち合わせの達人で、いつも最適な場所を提案してくれる。

He is a master of meeting up and always suggests the most suitable locations.

'Tatsujin' (master/expert).

5

人混みの中での待ち合わせは、一種の宝探しのようなものだ。

Meeting up in a crowd is like a kind of treasure hunt.

'Isshu no' (a kind of).

6

待ち合わせに遅れた理由を、もっともらしく説明した。

I explained the reason for being late for the meeting in a plausible way.

'Mottomorashiku' (plausibly).

7

約束の場所で待ち合わせをしていたが、結局会えずじまいだった。

We were supposed to meet at the promised place, but in the end, we never met.

'Zu-jimai' (ended without doing).

8

待ち合わせの文化は、その国の時間に対する考え方を反映している。

The culture of meeting up reflects a country's perspective on time.

'Han'ei suru' (to reflect).

1

待ち合わせという行為には、他者への信頼と期待が内包されている。

The act of meeting up inherently contains trust and expectation toward others.

'Naihou sarete iru' (is inherent/contained).

2

都会の喧騒の中での待ち合わせは、個人の孤独を際立たせることもある。

Meeting up amidst the bustle of the city can sometimes highlight an individual's loneliness.

'Kiwasaseru' (to make stand out).

3

待ち合わせ場所の変遷を辿れば、その街の歴史が見えてくる。

If you trace the transition of meeting spots, you can see the history of that town.

'Hensen o tadoru' (to trace transitions).

4

デジタル時代の待ち合わせは、かつての情緒を失いつつあるのかもしれない。

Meeting up in the digital age might be losing the sentiment it once had.

'Tsutsu aru' (in the process of).

5

不確実な待ち合わせこそが、人生における予期せぬ出会いを生む。

It is precisely the uncertain meeting that gives birth to unexpected encounters in life.

'Koso' (emphasis).

6

待ち合わせの時間を巡る哲学的な議論は、枚挙に暇がない。

There is no end to the philosophical discussions surrounding the time of meeting.

'Maikyo ni itoma ga nai' (too many to mention).

7

彼女との待ち合わせは、私にとって日常の聖域のような時間だった。

Meeting with her was like a sanctuary in my daily life.

'Seiiki' (sanctuary).

8

待ち合わせの場所が、時として人生の重大な転換点となることもある。

A meeting place can sometimes become a major turning point in one's life.

'Tenkanten' (turning point).

Häufige Kollokationen

待ち合わせ場所 (Meeting place)
待ち合わせ時間 (Meeting time)
待ち合わせをする (To meet up)
待ち合わせに遅れる (To be late for a meeting)
待ち合わせに間に合う (To be on time for a meeting)
待ち合わせに現れる (To show up at the meeting)
待ち合わせをキャンセルする (To cancel a meeting)
待ち合わせを変更する (To change a meeting)
待ち合わせ相手 (Meeting partner)
待ち合わせスポット (Meeting spot)

Häufige Phrasen

どこで待ち合わせる？ (Where shall we meet?)

待ち合わせはハチ公前で。 (The meeting is in front of Hachiko.)

待ち合わせに遅れそう！ (I think I'll be late for the meeting!)

待ち合わせ場所、どこだっけ？ (Where was the meeting place again?)

駅の改札で待ち合わせね。 (Let's meet at the station ticket gate, okay?)

待ち合わせ時間を間違えた。 (I got the meeting time wrong.)

五分遅れます、待ち合わせ場所で待ってて。 (I'll be 5 mins late, wait at the meeting spot.)

待ち合わせ相手が来ない。 (The person I'm meeting isn't coming.)

いい待ち合わせ場所ある？ (Is there a good meeting spot?)

待ち合わせ、楽しみにしてる。 (I'm looking forward to our meeting.)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

待ち合わせ vs 約束 (Yakusoku)

Yakusoku is a promise; Machiawase is the physical act of meeting.

待ち合わせ vs 打ち合わせ (Uchiawase)

Uchiawase is a business meeting for discussion; Machiawase is just meeting up.

待ち合わせ vs 集合 (Shugo)

Shugo is for large groups; Machiawase is for small social groups.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Leicht verwechselbar

待ち合わせ vs

待ち合わせ vs

待ち合わせ vs

待ち合わせ vs

待ち合わせ vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

modern

Often used with GPS pins in messaging apps.

nuance

Less formal than 'yakusoku', more specific than 'au'.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'machiawase' for business meetings with clients.
  • Saying 'machiawase o okureru' instead of 'ni okureru'.
  • Confusing 'machiawase' with 'yoyaku' (reservations).
  • Using 'machiawase' for accidental encounters.
  • Forgetting the 'to' particle when meeting with a person.

Tipps

Be Early

In Japan, arriving 5 minutes before the 'machiawase' time is standard etiquette.

Verb Usage

Say 'machiawase shite iru' to mean 'I am currently waiting for someone'.

Be Specific

Large stations have many exits. Always specify 'North Exit' or 'East Exit'.

Famous Spots

Learn famous spots like 'Hachiko' or 'Moyai' to sound like a local.

Use LINE

Share your live location on LINE if you can't find the 'machiawase' spot.

Particle Tip

Remember: [Person] 'to' machiawase, [Place] 'de' machiawase.

Compound Words

'Machiawase-jikan' is a very common way to say 'meeting time'.

Apologizing

If late, say 'Machiawase ni okurete sumimasen'.

Avoid Crowds

Pick a 'machiawase' spot slightly away from the main gate to find people easier.

Station Announcements

Listen for 'machiawase' in department store lost-person calls.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Compound of 'matsu' (to wait) and 'awaseru' (to join/match).

Kultureller Kontext

Major stations have designated meeting areas like 'Silver Bell' or 'Statues'.

LINE is the primary tool for real-time 'machiawase' adjustments.

Being late is considered disrespectful of the other person's time.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"待ち合わせはどこがいいですか？"

"待ち合わせ時間に間に合いますか？"

"いつもどこで待ち合わせをしますか？"

"待ち合わせ場所、分かりましたか？"

"待ち合わせに遅れたことはありますか？"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、誰かと待ち合わせをしましたか？

一番好きな待ち合わせ場所はどこですか？

待ち合わせに遅れた時、どうしますか？

待ち合わせの時間、何をしていますか？

日本の待ち合わせ文化についてどう思いますか？

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, use 'yoyaku' (reservation/appointment) for doctors or services.

Mostly, but it can be used for colleagues if you are meeting to go somewhere together.

The verb form is 'machiawaseru' (to meet up).

Use 'ni' for time/target (machiawase ni okureru) and 'de' for location (eki de machiawase).

Yes, a date often starts with a 'machiawase'.

That is 'battari au', not 'machiawase'.

Use 'machiawase basho' or 'machiawase supotto'.

Generally no; always message if you will be late for a 'machiawase'.

It's a waiting room, often found in clinics or stations.

It's rare; 'zoom de au' or 'kaigi' is more common.

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Verwandte Inhalte

War das hilfreich?

Kommentare (0)

Zum Kommentieren Anmelden
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!