Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn 会う (au). It means 'to meet' or 'to see' a person. You use this word when you see your friends or family. For example, 'I meet my mom.' In Japanese, you say 'Watashi wa okaasan ni aimasu.' It is a simple word for seeing someone.
The verb 会う (au) is very common and means 'to meet' or 'to see' someone. You use it when you have an appointment or just bump into someone. For instance, 'I will meet my friend tomorrow.' This translates to 'Ashita, tomodachi ni aimasu.' Remember to use the particle に (ni) before the person you are meeting. It's a key verb for talking about social interactions.
会う (au) is a versatile verb meaning 'to meet' or 'to see' a person. It's used for both planned encounters and chance meetings. For example, 'It was nice meeting you' can be expressed as 'O-aiできてよかったです (O-ai dekite yokatta desu),' which is a polite way to say it. You can also say 'I met him yesterday' as 'Kinou kare ni aimashita.' Understanding the particle に (ni) is essential for correct usage.
The Japanese verb 会う (au) signifies the act of meeting or encountering another person. Its usage spans various social contexts, from casual get-togethers to formal appointments. Consider the phrase 'Hisashiburi ni aimashita ne!' (久しぶりに会いましたね！), meaning 'We met after a long time, didn't we!' This highlights the verb's ability to convey the duration since the last encounter. It's also important to note the nuance: while 会う is for people, 見る (miru) is for seeing things or watching performances.
会う (au) is a fundamental verb denoting the convergence of individuals. Beyond its literal meaning of 'to meet,' it can imply a sense of connection or shared experience. For instance, the expression 運命の出会い (unmei no deai) refers to a 'fateful encounter,' suggesting a meeting of profound significance. In formal settings, the honorific prefix お (o) can be added, as in お会いする (o-ai suru), to show respect to the person being met. This verb is central to discussing relationships and social dynamics.
The verb 会う (au) encapsulates the multifaceted nature of human convergence. Its kanji, 会, historically depicted a gathering, reflecting its core meaning. Beyond simple meetings, it can denote significant life events, as seen in 出会い (deai - encounter/meeting), often used for romantic or professional connections. The verb's politeness level is easily adjusted: 会う (plain), 会います (polite), and the humble お会いする (o-ai suru). Understanding its etymological roots and cultural connotations, such as the importance placed on first impressions (初対面 - hatsu-taimen), provides a deeper appreciation of its usage in literature and sophisticated discourse.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 会う (au) means 'to meet' or 'to see' a person.
- Use the particle に (ni) after the person you meet.
- It's used for both planned and chance encounters.
- Politeness levels vary (aimasu, o-ai suru).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb 会う (au). It's one of those core words you'll use all the time when you're interacting with people. Think of it as the go-to word for 'to meet' or 'to see' someone. Whether you're planning to catch up with a friend for coffee, bumping into an old classmate at the mall, or attending an important business meeting, 会う covers it all!
The beauty of 会う lies in its versatility. It doesn't carry a specific nuance of formality or informality on its own; the context and the people involved usually dictate the overall tone of the encounter. So, whether it's a casual hangout or a more serious rendezvous, you can rely on 会う to get your point across. It's all about that moment of connection when two or more people come together.
Understanding 会う is key to navigating social situations in Japanese. It's the foundation for discussing plans, recounting past encounters, and expressing your desire to connect with others. Mastering this verb will open up a whole new world of communication and help you build stronger relationships. Let's explore how this simple word can be used in so many different ways!
The Japanese verb 会う (au) has a fascinating history that traces back to ancient times. Its origins are deeply rooted in the concept of 'coming together' or 'gathering.' The kanji character 会 itself is composed of components that suggest people (人) gathering under a roof (similar to 亼, which can be seen as a simplified version of 蓋, meaning 'lid' or 'cover'). This imagery perfectly captures the essence of people meeting or assembling.
Historically, the word has always been associated with encounters, both planned and accidental. Early Japanese literature and historical texts often use 会う to describe meetings between individuals, groups, or even the convergence of natural phenomena. Over centuries, its meaning has remained remarkably consistent, emphasizing the act of coming face-to-face with someone or something.
Interestingly, the kanji 会 is also used in other East Asian languages with similar meanings. For instance, in Chinese, the character 会 (huì) can mean 'to meet,' 'to gather,' 'association,' or 'meeting.' This shared etymology highlights a common conceptual origin for the idea of 'meeting' across different cultures influenced by ancient Chinese writing systems. The consistent usage of 会う in Japanese underscores its fundamental importance in expressing human interaction and connection.
会う is a fundamental verb in Japanese, and understanding its common collocations will significantly boost your fluency. The most basic pattern is simply 誰かに会う (dareka ni au), meaning 'to meet someone.' The particle に (ni) is crucial here, marking the person or people you are meeting. For example, 友達に会う (tomodachi ni au) means 'to meet a friend.'
You'll often see 会う used with adverbs that describe the nature of the meeting. For instance, 久しぶりに会う (hisashiburi ni au) means 'to meet after a long time,' while 偶然会う (guuzen au) signifies 'to meet by chance.' When discussing plans, you might hear 会議で会う (kaigi de au), meaning 'to meet at a conference,' where で (de) indicates the location or context of the meeting.
The formality of 会う can be adjusted with verb conjugations. The polite form is 会います (aimasu), suitable for most everyday situations. The plain form is 会う (au), used among close friends and family or in informal writing. For past events, you'd use 会いました (aimashita) or 会った (atta). Remember, 会う is primarily used for meeting people; for seeing places or objects, you'd use different verbs like 見る (miru) or 訪れる (otozureru).
While 会う itself is quite direct, it appears in several expressions that add color to the language. Here are a few:
- 初対面 (hatsu-taimen): Literally 'first meeting face,' this refers to meeting someone for the very first time. It's not an idiom using 'au' directly, but it's the concept of the first 'au'. Example: 初対面ですが、よろしくお願いします。(Hatsu-taimen desu ga, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.) - It's our first meeting, but please be kind to me.
- 顔を合わせる (kao o awaseru): This literally means 'to put faces together,' but it implies meeting someone, often in a situation where you might prefer not to, or in a more official capacity. Example: 毎日上司と顔を合わせなければならない。(Mainichi joushi to kao o awasenakereba naranai.) - I have to face my boss every day.
- 再会 (saikai): This means 'reunion' or 'meeting again.' It's a noun derived from the kanji for 'again' (再) and 'meet' (会). Example: 彼らとの再会を心待ちにしている。(Karera to no saikai o kokoromachi ni shite iru.) - I am looking forward to meeting them again.
- 出会い (deai): This noun means 'encounter' or 'meeting,' often used for significant or fateful meetings, like meeting a romantic partner or a mentor. Example: 素晴らしい出会いでした。(Subarashii deai deshita.) - It was a wonderful encounter.
- 会ったことない (atta koto nai): This is the plain form negative, meaning 'have never met.' Example: 彼は私と会ったことがないらしい。(Kare wa watashi to atta koto ga nai rashii.) - Apparently, he has never met me.
The verb 会う (au) is a Group 1 verb (also known as a 'u-verb') in Japanese, meaning its stem ends in a 'u' sound. This affects how it conjugates. For example, the polite '-masu' form is made by changing the final 'u' to 'i', resulting in 会います (aimasu).
To form the past tense, you drop the final 'u' and add 'tta' for the plain form: 会った (atta). The polite past tense is 会いました (aimashita). The negative form uses '-nai': 会わない (awanai) for plain negative, and 会いません (aimasen) for polite negative.
Pronunciation of 会う (au) is straightforward. It's pronounced as two distinct vowel sounds: 'a' followed by 'u'. Think of the 'a' sound like in 'father' and the 'u' sound like in 'flute'. There's no complex diphthongization; they are two separate, clear sounds. In British English, it might sound like 'ow' in 'how' but slightly more separated. In American English, it's similar to the 'ow' in 'cow'. There are no silent letters or tricky consonant clusters. The emphasis is naturally on the first syllable if you consider 'a' and 'u' as separate parts, but it's more of a flowing sound.
Fun Fact
The kanji '会' is composed of '人' (person) and '云' (cloud/gather), visually representing people coming together.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like the 'ow' in 'how' or 'now', but with the vowels pronounced distinctly and smoothly.
Similar to British English, like the 'ow' in 'cow'. The 'a' and 'u' sounds are clear and connected.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'a' and 'u' as separate syllables like 'ah-oo' instead of a smooth diphthong.
- Over-emphasizing the 'u' sound, making it sound too long.
- Confusing the sound with 'ao' (あお), which is a different sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in basic contexts, requires more nuance for advanced usage.
Straightforward for basic sentences, requires care with politeness levels and particles.
Pronunciation is simple, but choosing the right politeness level is key.
Common verb, usually easy to identify in context.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Particles (に, で)
友達<strong>に</strong>会う (meet a friend), カフェ<strong>で</strong>会う (meet at a cafe)
Verb Conjugation (Masu-form, Te-form, Nai-form)
会います (aimasu), 会って (atte), 会わない (awanai)
Expressing Desire (~tai form)
会いたい (aitai - want to meet)
Examples by Level
I meet my friend.
I + friend + particle + meet + polite
Use に (ni) particle before the person you meet.
I see Mom.
I + Mom + particle + see + polite
会う can mean 'see' when it's a person.
Let's meet tomorrow.
Tomorrow + particle + meet + let's
The 〜ましょう (~mashou) form is used for suggestions.
I meet Sensei.
I + Teacher + particle + meet + polite
Use polite form 会います (aimasu) for teachers.
We meet.
We + meet + polite
The subject 'we' is often omitted if clear from context.
Do you meet him?
You + him + particle + meet + question
Add か (ka) at the end for a question.
I meet Dad.
I + Dad + particle + meet + polite
Use に (ni) particle before the person.
Meet you!
You + particle + meet + polite
Often used as a greeting when meeting someone.
I met my teacher yesterday.
Yesterday + I + teacher + particle + met + polite
Past tense of 会います is 会いました (aimashita).
I want to meet my friend.
Friend + particle + meet + want to + polite
Use 〜たい (~tai) to express desire.
When will you meet?
When + particle + meet + polite + question
Use question words like いつ (itsu - when).
I met him by chance.
I + him + particle + by chance + met + polite
偶然 (guuzen) means 'by chance'.
Let's meet at the station.
Station + at + meet + let's
Use で (de) for the location of the meeting.
I haven't met her yet.
A person looking hesitant to approach another.
まだ〜ていません (mada ~te imasen) means 'haven't done ~ yet'.
I'm happy to meet you.
You + particle + met + able to + happy + polite
〜て嬉しい (~te ureshii) means 'happy to do ~'.
We will meet again.
We + again + meet + polite
Again is また (mata).
I'm looking forward to meeting you.
You + particle + meet + able to + looking forward to + polite
楽しみ (tanoshimi) expresses looking forward to something.
It was a pleasure meeting you.
You + particle + met + polite + pleasure + polite
お会いできて光栄です (O-ai dekite kouei desu) is a very polite expression.
We met for the first time last week.
Last week + we + first time + met + polite
初対面 (hatsu-taimen) means 'first meeting'.
I often meet my colleagues for lunch.
I + colleagues + particle + lunch + for + often + meet + polite
Often is よく (yoku).
Did you meet the new manager?
New manager + particle + met + polite + question
Use the past tense 会いました (aimashita) for completed actions.
I might meet him tomorrow.
I + tomorrow + him + particle + meet + might + polite
Might be able to is 〜かもしれない (~kamoshirenai).
They decided to meet at the cafe.
They + cafe + at + meet + decided + polite
Decided is 決めました (kimemashita).
I ran into an old friend at the supermarket.
Supermarket + at + old friend + particle + happened to meet + polite
偶然会う (guuzen au) means to meet by chance.
I encountered an unexpected problem when meeting the client.
Client + particle + meeting + when + unexpected problem + encountered + polite
The context implies a potentially difficult meeting.
We haven't seen each other in years.
Years + particle + haven't met + polite
何年も (nannen mo) means 'for many years'.
The reunion was a chance to reconnect with old friends.
Reunion + old friends + particle + reconnect + chance + polite
再会 (saikai) means reunion.
He seems reluctant to meet the new team.
He + new team + particle + meet + reluctant + seems + polite
気が進まない (ki ga susumanai) means 'reluctant'.
Our paths crossed unexpectedly at the conference.
Conference + at + unexpectedly + met + polite
偶然 (guuzen) emphasizes the chance nature of the meeting.
She made an effort to meet with the stakeholders.
She + stakeholders + particle + meet + effort + made + polite
努力する (doryoku suru) means 'to make an effort'.
It's been too long since we last met.
Last + met + since + too long + polite
最後に会ったのは (saigo ni atta no wa) means 'the last time we met'.
They arranged to meet discreetly.
They + discreetly + meet + arranged + polite
ひそかに (hisoka ni) means 'secretly' or 'discreetly'.
The serendipitous encounter with the renowned artist changed the course of her career.
Renowned artist + particle + serendipitous encounter + changed + her career + course + polite
出会い (deai) often implies a significant or fateful meeting.
He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the committee.
He + committee + particle + meet + opportunity + gratitude + expressed + polite
お会いする (o-ai suru) is a humble form used when meeting someone of higher status.
Their reunion after decades was fraught with unspoken emotions.
Decades + after + reunion + unspoken emotions + fraught + polite
再会 (saikai) can carry emotional weight.
The diplomat sought to establish rapport by meeting the delegates informally.
Diplomat + delegates + particle + informally + meet + rapport + establish + sought + polite
Informal meetings can facilitate better relationships.
The novel explores the profound impact of chance encounters in shaping human destiny.
Novel + explores + profound impact + chance encounters + shaping + human destiny + polite
This uses the concept of 'deai' in a literary context.
She was apprehensive about facing her former mentor after their falling out.
A person feeling nervous about meeting someone they had a conflict with.
顔を合わせる (kao o awaseru) can imply facing someone, sometimes reluctantly.
The summit provided a crucial platform for leaders to convene and address global issues.
Summit + crucial platform + leaders + convene + address global issues + provided + polite
While 会う is about people, 会 (kai) in 会議 (kaigi - meeting) refers to the gathering itself.
Their shared passion for music led to an unlikely but fruitful collaboration.
Shared passion + music + led to + unlikely + fruitful collaboration + polite
This implies a significant meeting leading to a positive outcome.
The confluence of their disparate experiences created a unique tapestry of understanding.
Confluence + disparate experiences + created + unique tapestry + understanding + polite
Confluence implies a meeting or flowing together, akin to a deep 'deai'.
He harbored a deep-seated resentment, making any amicable encounter with his rival impossible.
Deep-seated resentment + harbored + making + amicable encounter + rival + impossible + polite
Amicable encounter relates to the quality of the 'au'.
The artist's retrospective exhibition was a poignant reunion with her past works.
Artist + retrospective exhibition + poignant reunion + past works + polite
Here, 'reunion' (saikai) is used metaphorically.
Their chance meeting in a Parisian café, a scene straight from a novel, ignited a lifelong romance.
Parisian café + chance meeting + scene + novel + ignited + lifelong romance + polite
Emphasizes the 'deai' as a pivotal, almost predestined event.
The etymological roots of 会 suggest a primordial gathering, a fundamental human impulse.
Etymological roots + 会 + suggest + primordial gathering + fundamental human impulse + polite
Connects the kanji's origin to the verb's core meaning.
He navigated the complex social strata, ensuring each introduction was met with appropriate deference.
Complex social strata + navigated + ensuring + each introduction + appropriate deference + met + polite
Focuses on the nuances of meeting different people in formal contexts.
The novel's denouement hinged on the fated encounter between the estranged siblings.
Novel's denouement + hinged on + fated encounter + estranged siblings + polite
Fated encounter highlights the significance of 'deai'.
Her ability to foster genuine connections, even in fleeting meetings, was remarkable.
Ability + foster genuine connections + even + fleeting meetings + remarkable + polite
Contrasts fleeting meetings with the depth of connection formed.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"初対面 (hatsu-taimen)"
First meeting; meeting someone for the first time.
初対面ですが、どうぞよろしくお願いします。(Hatsu-taimen desu ga, douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.) - It's our first meeting, but please be nice to me.
neutral"顔を合わせる (kao o awaseru)"
To meet face-to-face; to confront someone; to see someone regularly.
毎日上司と顔を合わせるのはつらい。(Mainichi joushi to kao o awaseru no wa tsurai.) - It's tough seeing my boss every day.
neutral"再会 (saikai)"
Reunion; meeting again after a separation.
旧友との再会は感動的だった。(Kyuuyuu to no saikai wa kandouteki datta.) - The reunion with my old friend was moving.
neutral"出会い (deai)"
Encounter; meeting (often implies a significant or fateful meeting).
人生を変えるような出会いだった。(Jinsei o kaeru you na deai datta.) - It was an encounter that changed my life.
neutral"会ったことない (atta koto nai)"
Have never met.
彼女とはまだ会ったことがないんです。(Kanojo to wa mada atta koto ga nai n desu.) - I haven't met her yet.
casual"会いたい気持ち (aitai kimochi)"
The feeling of wanting to meet someone.
君に会いたい気持ちが抑えきれない。(Kimi ni aitai kimochi ga osae kirenai.) - I can't suppress my feelings of wanting to see you.
neutral/emotionalEasily Confused
Both relate to visual perception.
見る means 'to see' (objects, sights, performances). 会う means 'to meet' (people).
公園で鳥を見た。(Kouen de tori o mita.) - I saw a bird in the park. (Not 'au') 友達に会った。(Tomodachi ni atta.) - I met a friend. (Not 'mita')
Both are common verbs involving interaction.
聞く means 'to hear' or 'to listen'. 会う means 'to meet'.
音楽を聞いた。(Ongaku o kiita.) - I listened to music. (Not 'atta') 彼に会った。(Kare ni atta.) - I met him. (Not 'kiita')
Both are fundamental verbs of movement/action.
行く means 'to go'. 会う means 'to meet'. You might 'iku' somewhere *to* 'au' someone.
学校に行く。(Gakkou ni iku.) - I am going to school. (Not 'au') 友達に会いに学校に行く。(Tomodachi ni ai ni gakkou ni iku.) - I am going to school to meet a friend.
Share the same kanji.
会う is a verb ('to meet'). 会 (kai) is a noun meaning 'meeting', 'association', or 'gathering', often used in compounds like 会議 (kaigi - meeting).
会議で会う人。(Kaigi de au hito.) - A person I meet at a meeting. (Verb 'au' used)
Sentence Patterns
Subject + は/が + Object + に + 会う
私は友達に会います。(Watashi wa tomodachi ni aimasu.) - I meet my friend.
Adverb + 会う
偶然会いました。(Guuzen aimashita.) - We met by chance.
〜に会えて嬉しい/よかった (~ni aete ureshii/yokatta)
あなたに会えて嬉しいです。(Anata ni aete ureshii desu.) - I'm happy to meet you.
〜に会いに来る/行く (~ni ai ni kuru/iku)
君に会いに来た。(Kimi ni ai ni kita.) - I came to see you.
Humble form: Subject + は + Object + に + お会いする (o-ai suru)
社長にお会いしました。(Shachou ni o-ai shimashita.) - I met the president.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
会う specifically refers to meeting people. For example, you don't 'au' a mountain; you 'miru' or 'otozureru' it.
The particle に marks the direct object of the verb 'to meet' when it's a person.
In most social and formal contexts, the polite form 会います (aimasu) is required.
While related, 会う is a verb for people meeting, whereas 会 (kai) is often a noun referring to the event or organization.
'To see' in the sense of comprehension is different from meeting someone.
Tips
Sound Association
Remember the 'au' sound like 'Ow! I meet an owl!' The owl is the person you are meeting.
People Only!
Always remember 会う is for people. Don't use it for seeing a movie or a building!
Respectful Greetings
When meeting someone important or for the first time, use polite forms like 会います (aimasu) or お会いします (o-ai shimasu) and common phrases like はじめまして (Hajimemashite).
The Magic Particle に
Don't forget the particle に (ni) after the person you are meeting. It's essential for correct grammar.
Smooth 'au'
Pronounce 'a' and 'u' as a smooth diphthong, like the 'ow' in 'cow', not as two separate sounds.
Avoid 'Au' for Objects
A common mistake is using 会う for things. Stick to 見る (miru) for non-people.
Kanji Clues
The kanji 会 visually represents people coming together, reinforcing the meaning of the verb.
Role-Playing Practice
Practice role-playing scenarios: meeting a friend, a teacher, a new acquaintance. Use 会う in different verb forms.
Planned vs. Chance
会う covers both planned meetings (約束 - yakusoku) and chance encounters (偶然 - guuzen).
Expressing Desire
To say 'I want to meet', add 〜たい (~tai) to the stem: 会いたい (aitai).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'Owl' (au sound) wearing a hat (like the top of the 会 kanji) and waving hello to you. The owl is meeting you!
Visual Association
Picture two people shaking hands under a large umbrella (representing the 'gathering' aspect of the kanji).
Word Web
Challenge
Try using 'au' in sentences every day for a week, describing who you meet.
Word Origin
Japanese (Kanji: 会)
Original meaning: The kanji 会 originally depicted people gathering under a roof or enclosure.
Cultural Context
Directness in arranging meetings can vary. In Japan, confirming details and showing respect (using polite forms like 会います or お会いします) is important when meeting someone for the first time or someone of higher status.
In English-speaking cultures, 'meeting' can range from very formal business appointments to casual 'hangouts.' The context heavily dictates the formality. Greetings like 'Nice to meet you' are standard.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Social gatherings (parties, cafes)
- 久しぶりに会えて嬉しい！ (Hisashiburi ni aete ureshii!) - Great to see you after so long!
- また近いうちに会おうね！ (Mata chikai uchi ni aou ne!) - Let's meet again soon!
- 今日会えてよかった。(Kyou aete yokatta.) - I'm glad I could meet you today.
Business meetings
- 本日お会いできて光栄です。(Honjitsu o-ai dekite kouei desu.) - It's an honor to meet you today.
- 会議でお会いしましょう。(Kaigi de o-ai shimashou.) - Let's meet at the conference.
- 担当者にお会いいただけますか？ (Tantousha ni o-ai itadakemasu ka?) - May I meet the person in charge?
Chance encounters
- わあ、偶然！ (Waa, guuzen!) - Wow, what a coincidence!
- こんなところで会うなんて！ (Konna tokoro de au nante!) - To meet you here of all places!
- 元気だった？ (Genki datta?) - How have you been? (Used when meeting someone unexpectedly)
Introductions
- はじめまして。(Hajimemashite.) - Nice to meet you (first time).
- どうぞよろしくお願いします。(Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.) - Please be kind to me.
- 彼を紹介します。田中さんです。(Kare o shoukai shimasu. Tanaka-san desu.) - Let me introduce him. This is Mr. Tanaka. (Followed by meeting them)
Conversation Starters
"Who is someone you'd love to meet someday?"
"What's the most interesting place you've ever met someone?"
"Do you prefer planned meetings or chance encounters?"
"Tell me about a time you met someone unexpectedly."
"What's the best advice you've received when meeting someone new?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a memorable meeting you had. What made it special?
Write about a time you met someone who significantly impacted your life.
Imagine you could meet any historical figure. Who would it be and why?
Reflect on the importance of meeting new people. How does it broaden your perspective?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions会う (au) is specifically for meeting or seeing PEOPLE. 見る (miru) is for seeing objects, watching performances, or observing things.
会う is a general term for meeting. 出会う often implies a more significant, perhaps fated or impactful encounter, like meeting a romantic partner or mentor.
You can say 「あなたにお会いしたいです」(Anata ni o-ai shitai desu) using the humble form, or 「あなたに会いたいです」(Anata ni aitai desu) which is more direct but still polite.
Yes, the particle に (ni) is generally required to mark the person or people you are meeting.
Yes, you can meet a group. For example, 「クラスメートに会う」(Kurasumeeto ni au) means 'to meet classmates'.
The plain past tense is 会った (atta), and the polite past tense is 会いました (aimashita).
A common polite phrase is 「はじめまして。お会いできて嬉しいです。」(Hajimemashite. O-ai dekite ureshii desu.) - Nice to meet you. I'm happy to meet you.
Yes, the opposite of meeting is often expressed by 別れる (wakeru), which means 'to part' or 'to separate'.
Test Yourself
I ______ my teacher tomorrow.
The sentence is about seeing a person, so 'meet' is the correct verb.
Which Japanese word means 'to meet someone'?
会う (au) is the verb for meeting people.
The verb '会う' (au) can be used to say 'I met a cat'.
会う is used for meeting people. For animals, you would typically use 見る (miru - to see).
Word
Meaning
These pairs show common phrases and related terms involving 'au'.
The correct English sentence order is 'I meet a friend tomorrow'.
Let's ______ tomorrow.
The context suggests making a plan to see someone.
What particle is usually used after the person you meet?
The particle に marks the person being met.
The polite form of '会う' is '会わない' (awanai).
'Awanai' is the negative form. The polite form is 'aimasu'.
The correct English sentence order is 'I met an old friend yesterday'.
It was nice ______ you.
This is a common polite phrase used after a first encounter.
Which expression implies a significant or fateful meeting?
出会い often carries the nuance of a meaningful or destiny-driven encounter.
The humble form 'お会いする' (o-ai suru) is used when meeting someone of lower status.
Humble forms are used to show respect to the person being met, typically someone of higher status.
Score: /12
Summary
Mastering 会う (au) is essential for navigating social interactions and building connections in Japanese.
- 会う (au) means 'to meet' or 'to see' a person.
- Use the particle に (ni) after the person you meet.
- It's used for both planned and chance encounters.
- Politeness levels vary (aimasu, o-ai suru).
Sound Association
Remember the 'au' sound like 'Ow! I meet an owl!' The owl is the person you are meeting.
People Only!
Always remember 会う is for people. Don't use it for seeing a movie or a building!
Respectful Greetings
When meeting someone important or for the first time, use polite forms like 会います (aimasu) or お会いします (o-ai shimasu) and common phrases like はじめまして (Hajimemashite).
The Magic Particle に
Don't forget the particle に (ni) after the person you are meeting. It's essential for correct grammar.
Example
友達に会う。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
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.
