The verb 'au' is the fundamental way to express meeting someone, whether by appointment or by chance.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe meeting a person or animal.
- Can imply both planned meetings and accidental encounters.
- Requires the particle 'ni' to indicate the person met.
Overview
- 1概要：「会う」は、人や動物と対面する、あるいは同じ場所に居合わせるという基本的な動作を表す動詞です。日常会話で最も頻繁に使われる動詞の一つです。2) 使用パターン：基本的には「人（に）会う」という形で使われます。約束をして会う場合は「友達に会う」のように、目的地や相手を明確にします。また、偶然見かける場合にも「駅で先生に会った」のように使用します。3) 一般的な文脈：友人との待ち合わせ、ビジネスでの打ち合わせ、街中での偶然の再会など、幅広いシチュエーションで使われます。4) 類語比較：「会う」は対面することを指しますが、「集まる」は複数人が一箇所に集結するニュアンスが強く、「面会する」はビジネスや公的な場で特定の相手と会うという非常に硬い表現になります。「出くわす」は、予期せず偶然に出会うというニュアンスが強調されます。
Examples
明日、駅で友達に会います。
everydayI will meet my friend at the station tomorrow.
社長にお会いしたいのですが。
formalI would like to meet with the president.
昨日、偶然駅で彼に会ったよ。
informalI ran into him at the station yesterday by chance.
専門家と会って議論する。
academicMeet with an expert to discuss.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
また会いましょう
Let's meet again.
初めてお会いします
Nice to meet you.
会う約束をする
Make an appointment to meet.
Often Confused With
This implies a sudden or accidental meeting. 'Au' is neutral and can be planned or accidental.
This means 'to gather' or 'to assemble' in a group. 'Au' focuses on the interaction between two or more specific people.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The verb 'au' is versatile but changes in formality when using humble language (kenjougo). Use 'o-ai suru' when speaking to superiors to show respect. In casual settings, it is perfectly fine to use 'au' with friends and family.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the particle 'o' (を) instead of 'ni' (に) because they confuse it with other transitive verbs. Remember that 'au' takes 'ni' to mark the person you are meeting. Also, avoid using it for objects; it is strictly for living beings.
Tips
Use 'ni' for the person met
Always remember to use the particle 'ni' before 'au' to indicate the target of your meeting. This is the most common pattern for A2 learners.
Don't confuse with 'au' (to match)
The verb 'au' can also be written as '合う' meaning 'to match' or 'to fit'. Context is key to distinguishing between meeting people and things fitting together.
Politeness in meeting
When meeting someone for the first time, Japanese speakers often use phrases like 'Hajimemashite' rather than just saying 'au'. This shows proper social etiquette.
Word Origin
The word originates from Old Japanese 'afu', which meant to come together or join. Over time, it evolved into the modern 'au' used for meeting people.
Cultural Context
Meeting someone in Japan often involves a slight bow or greeting. The formality of the meeting is usually reflected in the choice of verb and the politeness level of the sentence.
Memory Tip
Think of the letters 'A-U' as 'A' person 'U'niting with another. Remembering the 'ni' particle is easier if you think 'Need to meet NI-son (a person)'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions現代の標準的な日本語では「人に会う」と「に」を使うのが一般的です。ただし、「友達と会う」のように「と」を使うこともあり、これは「（一緒に）会う」という共同作業のニュアンスを含みます。
はい、使えます。「昨日、駅で偶然友達に会いました」のように言います。偶然であることを強調したい場合は「出くわす」という言葉を使うこともあります。
「会う」でも間違いではありませんが、より丁寧な「お会いする」や、面談を意味する「面会する」を使うとより適切です。
「会う」は五段活用動詞なので、過去形は「会った」になります。否定形は「会わない」です。
Test Yourself
昨日、駅で友達___会いました。
「会う」の相手を示す助詞は「に」です。
次のうち、正しいものはどれですか？
「に」が最も標準的で自然な表現です。
（明日 / 友達 / 会います / に / 私）
主語、時間、対象、動詞の順が基本です。
Score: /3
Summary
The verb 'au' is the fundamental way to express meeting someone, whether by appointment or by chance.
- Used to describe meeting a person or animal.
- Can imply both planned meetings and accidental encounters.
- Requires the particle 'ni' to indicate the person met.
Use 'ni' for the person met
Always remember to use the particle 'ni' before 'au' to indicate the target of your meeting. This is the most common pattern for A2 learners.
Don't confuse with 'au' (to match)
The verb 'au' can also be written as '合う' meaning 'to match' or 'to fit'. Context is key to distinguishing between meeting people and things fitting together.
Politeness in meeting
When meeting someone for the first time, Japanese speakers often use phrases like 'Hajimemashite' rather than just saying 'au'. This shows proper social etiquette.
Examples
4 of 4明日、駅で友達に会います。
I will meet my friend at the station tomorrow.
社長にお会いしたいのですが。
I would like to meet with the president.
昨日、偶然駅で彼に会ったよ。
I ran into him at the station yesterday by chance.
専門家と会って議論する。
Meet with an expert to discuss.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More communication words
について
A2about; concerning
宛先
B1The address or name of the recipient to whom mail or an email is sent.
番地
A2House number
賛同
B1Approval, endorsement; support or agreement with an idea.
~も
A2Too, also.
〜そして
A1And then; and (used to connect sentences or clauses).
たり
A2Indicates a non-exhaustive list of actions/states ('and so on').
〜や
A2And; and so forth (used to list examples, implying others exist).
お知らせ
B1Notice; an announcement or communication.
答え
A2A thing said, written, or done as a reaction to a question or statement.
