会議 in 30 Seconds
- 会議 (kaigi) means 'meeting' or 'conference' in a formal or professional context.
- It is used for business, school, and government gatherings with a set purpose.
- Commonly paired with verbs like 'deru' (attend) and 'okonau' (hold).
- Distinguished from casual 'uchiawase' (briefing) or 'miitingu' (casual sync).
The word 会議 (kaigi) is the cornerstone of Japanese organizational communication. Composed of the kanji 会 (to meet/assemble) and 議 (to deliberate/discuss), it literally translates to 'meeting for deliberation.' Unlike a casual chat or a spontaneous gathering, a kaigi usually implies a structured agenda, a specific purpose, and often, a formal setting.
- Formal Definition
- An organized gathering of individuals to discuss, debate, and resolve specific issues.
- Etymology
- Rooted in the concept of collective decision-making within hierarchical structures.
- Scope
- Ranges from small internal team syncs to international summits.
"明日、午前十時から重要な会議があります。" (There is an important meeting tomorrow at 10 AM.)
Whether you are a student attending a club meeting or a CEO leading a board session, this word is indispensable. It covers everything from a 'conference' (国際会議 - international conference) to a 'board meeting' (役員会議). In modern contexts, it also extends to virtual spaces (オンライン会議).
"会議中ですので、後でかけ直します。" (I am in a meeting, so I will call you back later.)
Using 会議 correctly requires understanding its role as both a noun and the base for a suru-verb. While '会議する' (to hold a meeting) is grammatically correct, it is more common to use functional verbs like 行う (okonau) or 開く (hiraku) to describe the act of hosting.
- Common Verb Pairings
- 会議に出る (Attend), 会議を欠席する (Absent), 会議を進める (Facilitate).
- Time Expressions
- 会議の前に (Before), 会議の後に (After), 会議の最中に (During).
"部長は今、会議室にいます。" (The manager is in the meeting room now.)
When you want to specify the type of meeting, you often prefix it: 企画会議 (planning meeting), 緊急会議 (emergency meeting), or 定例会議 (regularly scheduled meeting). Note that for very casual 'meet-ups' or 'briefings,' the loanword ミーティング (miitingu) is often preferred over the more formal kaigi.
You will encounter 会議 in almost every professional or institutional setting in Japan. It is the default term used in office announcements, email subject lines, and news broadcasts. If you work in Japan, you will hear it daily.
- Office Environment
- Announcements like "会議を始めます" (We will start the meeting).
- News/Media
- Reporting on "首脳会議" (Summit meeting) or "国連会議" (UN Conference).
- Academic Settings
- Referring to faculty meetings or research symposiums.
"次回の会議の資料を準備してください。" (Please prepare the materials for the next meeting.)
In anime or dramas set in schools, you'll hear about the 生徒会会議 (student council meeting). In historical dramas, you might hear 御前会議 (meeting in the presence of the Emperor). It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday administration and high-level governance.
Learners often confuse 会議 with other words for 'meeting' like 会う (au) or 打ち合わせ (uchiawase). While au is the general verb 'to meet,' it cannot be used as a noun for a formal assembly. Uchiawase is specifically for 'arrangements' or 'briefings' and is less formal than kaigi.
- Mistake: 会議に会う
- Incorrect. Use '会議に出る' or '会議に参加する'.
- Mistake: 友達と会議する
- Too formal. Use '友達と会う' or '話し合う'.
"✕ 友達と会議があります。" (Sounds like you are having a formal board meeting with your friend.)
There are several words that overlap with 会議, each with a specific nuance. Understanding these will help you sound more natural and precise in your Japanese communication.
- 打ち合わせ (Uchiawase)
- A business meeting focused on coordination, planning, or prep work. Less formal than kaigi.
- ミーティング (Miitingu)
- A loanword often used for internal team syncs or casual office discussions.
- 協議 (Kyougi)
- A more formal 'consultation' or 'negotiation' often used in legal or political contexts.
- 集会 (Shuukai)
- A general assembly or rally, often for a larger crowd or a public cause.
"ちょっとした打ち合わせをしましょう。" (Let's have a quick briefing/sync.)
While kaigi is the 'umbrella' term for formal meetings, uchiawase is what you'll likely do most often in a Japanese office. Kyougi is reserved for when serious deliberation or dispute resolution is required.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
〜の前に (Before...)
〜の後に (After...)
〜中 (During/In the middle of...)
〜について (About...)
〜を行う (To conduct/hold...)
Examples by Level
会議は三時からです。
The meeting is from 3 o'clock.
Basic 'A is B' structure using 'kara' (from).
会議室はどこですか？
Where is the meeting room?
Asking for location with 'doko'.
明日は会議があります。
There is a meeting tomorrow.
Using 'arimasu' to indicate existence/occurrence.
会議は長いです。
The meeting is long.
Simple adjective 'nagai' modifying the noun.
田中さんは会議にいます。
Mr. Tanaka is in the meeting.
Using 'ni imasu' for a person's location.
会議の資料です。
These are the meeting materials.
Possessive 'no' connecting two nouns.
会議は終わりました。
The meeting has finished.
Past tense of the verb 'owaru'.
これは会議のノートです。
This is a meeting notebook.
Demonstrative 'kore' with possessive 'no'.
会議に出ます。
I will attend the meeting.
The particle 'ni' with 'deru' means to attend/participate.
会議を始めましょう。
Let's start the meeting.
Volitional form 'mashou' for a suggestion.
会議の前にコーヒーを飲みます。
I drink coffee before the meeting.
Using 'no mae ni' to indicate 'before'.
会議はもう始まりましたか？
Has the meeting already started?
Using 'mou' (already) with past tense question.
会議で何を話しましたか？
What did you talk about in the meeting?
Particle 'de' indicating the location of an action.
五階で会議を行います。
We will hold a meeting on the 5th floor.
Formal verb 'okonau' for 'to hold/conduct'.
会議は一時間で終わります。
The meeting will end in one hour.
Particle 'de' indicating duration/limit.
会議を欠席します。
I will be absent from the meeting.
The verb 'kesseki-suru' (to be absent).
新しいプロジェクトについての会議があります。
There is a meeting about the new project.
'Nitsuite no' used to modify a noun with a topic.
会議が長引いたので、遅くなりました。
Because the meeting ran long, I am late.
Using 'node' to express a reason/cause.
会議の資料をコピーしておいてください。
Please make copies of the meeting materials in advance.
'~te oku' indicating preparation for the future.
明日の会議に出られるかどうか分かりません。
I don't know whether I can attend tomorrow's meeting.
'~ka dou ka' for 'whether or not'.
会議を始める前に、自己紹介をしましょう。
Before we start the meeting, let's introduce ourselves.
Verb dictionary form + 'mae ni'.
会議の内容をメモしました。
I took notes on the content of the meeting.
Noun 'naiyou' (content) with 'memo-suru'.
会議は予定通りに進んでいます。
The meeting is proceeding according to schedule.
'Yotei-doori' (as planned/scheduled).
会議室を予約するのを忘れました。
I forgot to reserve the meeting room.
Nominalizing a verb with 'no' to use it as an object.
会議の議事録を後で送ってください。
Please send the meeting minutes later.
Using 'gijiroku' (minutes) in a polite request.
会議で出た意見をまとめました。
I summarized the opinions expressed in the meeting.
Relative clause 'kaigi de deta' modifying 'iken'.
急な会議が入って、ランチに行けなくなりました。
An urgent meeting came up, so I can't go to lunch.
Verb 'hairu' used for a meeting being scheduled/occurring.
会議を円滑に進めるために準備が必要です。
Preparation is necessary to make the meeting proceed smoothly.
'Tame ni' expressing purpose.
その件については、次回の会議で検討しましょう。
Let's consider that matter at the next meeting.
Formal verb 'kentou-suru' (to consider/examine).
会議は三時間に及びました。
The meeting lasted for three hours.
Verb 'oyobu' indicating reaching a certain extent/duration.
会議の司会を務めることになりました。
It has been decided that I will act as the chairperson of the meeting.
'Koto ni naru' indicating an external decision or result.
この会議は非公開で行われます。
This meeting will be held behind closed doors (private).
Passive form 'okonawareru' with the noun 'hikoukai'.
会議が紛糾し、結論が出ませんでした。
The meeting became entangled in complications, and no conclusion was reached.
Advanced verb 'funkyuu-suru' (to get complicated/tangled).
会議の形骸化を防ぐための対策を講じるべきだ。
We should take measures to prevent meetings from becoming a mere formality.
Noun 'keigaika' (becoming a shell/formality) and 'taisaku o koujiru'.
首脳会議では、気候変動が主要な議題となった。
At the summit meeting, climate change became the main agenda item.
Compound 'shunou-kaigi' (summit) and 'gidai' (agenda).
会議での発言は慎重に行う必要があります。
It is necessary to speak cautiously during the meeting.
Noun 'hatsugen' (statement/speaking) used with 'shinchou' (cautious).
理事会での会議を経て、新方針が決定した。
After discussions in the board meeting, the new policy was decided.
Grammar 'wo hete' (through/after passing through).
会議は深夜まで延々と続いた。
The meeting continued endlessly until late at night.
Adverb 'en'en to' (endlessly/on and on).
会議の冒頭で、社長が挨拶を述べた。
At the beginning of the meeting, the president gave a greeting.
Noun 'boutou' (beginning/opening).
会議の結果、予算案は否決された。
As a result of the meeting, the budget proposal was rejected.
Verb 'hiketsu-suru' (to reject/vote down).
会議の場において、沈黙は必ずしも同意を意味しない。
In the context of a meeting, silence does not necessarily mean consent.
Formal 'ba ni oite' (in the place/context of).
その会議は、形ばかりの審議に終始した。
The meeting consisted of nothing but perfunctory deliberations from start to finish.
'Shuushi-suru' (to do something from beginning to end).
会議の趨勢を見極めることが肝要である。
It is vital to discern the trend/direction of the meeting.
Advanced noun 'suusei' (trend/tide) and 'kanyou' (vital).
会議での合意形成には多大な時間を要した。
Building consensus in the meeting required a significant amount of time.
Noun 'gouei-keisei' (consensus building).
会議は、各国の利害が対立し、膠着状態に陥った。
The meeting fell into a deadlock as the interests of various countries clashed.
Noun 'kouchaku-joutai' (deadlock/stalemate).
会議の席上、彼は突如として辞意を表明した。
During the meeting, he suddenly announced his intention to resign.
Formal 'sekijou' (at the meeting/on the occasion).
会議の議事進行を円滑にするためのファシリテーション能力が問われている。
Facilitation skills to smooth the progress of meeting proceedings are being called into question.
Complex noun phrase as a subject.
会議は、予断を許さない緊迫した空気の中で行われた。
The meeting was held in a tense atmosphere that allowed for no predictions.
Idiomatic 'yodan o yurusanai' (unpredictable/critical).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
While 'kaigi suru' is okay, 'kaigi o hiraku' or 'kaigi o okonau' sounds more professional.
Use 'kaigi' for anything with an agenda. Use 'miitingu' for casual syncs.
-
You 'attend' a meeting, you don't 'meet' a meeting.
-
Use 'imasu' for people in the meeting room, 'arimasu' for objects.
-
Kaigi is too formal for friends.
-
While 'suru' is okay, 'hiraku' is more professional for 'hosting'.
-
Both are okay, but 'no ato ni' is slightly more common in speech.
Tips
Tea in Meetings
In traditional Japanese meetings, tea is often served to guests first. Wait for the host to invite you to drink.
Kanji Tip
The 'gi' in kaigi is the same 'gi' in 'giron' (discussion) and 'gijutsu' (technique/art - though different kanji, the sound is common).
Preparation
Always bring a notebook and pen to a 'kaigi.' Taking notes is seen as a sign of attentiveness and respect.
Group Harmony
Japanese meetings often focus on 'wa' (harmony). Avoid blunt disagreements; use 'but' phrases carefully.
Online Etiquette
For 'onrain-kaigi,' keep your camera on unless told otherwise, and stay on mute when not speaking.
Compound Words
Learn 'kaigi' with 'shitsu' (room) to get 'kaigishitsu' immediately. It's a very high-frequency word.
Ending a Meeting
End with 'Otsukaresama deshita' (Thank you for your hard work) to all participants.
Particle Choice
Use 'ni' for the meeting you attend, 'de' for the room where it happens.
Listening Practice
Listen for 'kaigi' in office-themed anime or dramas to hear different levels of formality.
Note Taking
Practice writing the kanji for 'kaigi' (会議). The second kanji '議' has many strokes, so take it slow.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kango).
Cultural Context
The person with the highest rank sits furthest from the door (Kamiza).
Silence in a Japanese meeting doesn't always mean disagreement; it often means 'I am processing this.'
Arriving 5-10 minutes early for a 'kaigi' is standard professional etiquette.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"今日の会議は何時からですか？ (What time is today's meeting?)"
"会議の資料はどこにありますか？ (Where are the meeting materials?)"
"会議室を予約しましたか？ (Did you reserve the meeting room?)"
"会議で何か決まりましたか？ (Was anything decided in the meeting?)"
"次の会議はいつにしますか？ (When shall we have the next meeting?)"
Journal Prompts
今日、どんな会議に出ましたか？ (What kind of meeting did you attend today?)
会議は好きですか、嫌いですか？なぜですか？ (Do you like or hate meetings? Why?)
理想的な会議はどのようなものですか？ (What is an ideal meeting like?)
会議で意見を言うのは得意ですか？ (Are you good at expressing opinions in meetings?)
効率的な会議をするにはどうすればいいと思いますか？ (What do you think is needed for an efficient meeting?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsKaigi is formal and structured, often involving decision-making. Miitingu is a loanword used for casual team syncs or informal discussions.
No, that would sound very strange and robotic. Use 'deeto' or 'au' for social meetings.
You can say '今、会議中です' (Ima, kaigichuu desu).
It is called '会議室' (kaigishitsu).
You can say '会議を開く' (kaigi o hiraku) or '会議を行う' (kaigi o okonau).
Yes, for staff meetings (shokuin-kaigi) or student council meetings (seitokai-kaigi).
They are called '議事録' (gijiroku).
You say '会議は中止になりました' (Kaigi wa chuushi ni narimashita).
Yes, '会議する' (kaigi-suru) is possible, but '会議を行う' is more common in formal settings.
It is often called '首脳会議' (shunou-kaigi).
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Summary
会議 is the essential Japanese word for any formal meeting. Whether in an office, a school, or a government building, it implies a structured discussion aimed at reaching a conclusion or sharing vital information.
- 会議 (kaigi) means 'meeting' or 'conference' in a formal or professional context.
- It is used for business, school, and government gatherings with a set purpose.
- Commonly paired with verbs like 'deru' (attend) and 'okonau' (hold).
- Distinguished from casual 'uchiawase' (briefing) or 'miitingu' (casual sync).
Tea in Meetings
In traditional Japanese meetings, tea is often served to guests first. Wait for the host to invite you to drink.
Kanji Tip
The 'gi' in kaigi is the same 'gi' in 'giron' (discussion) and 'gijutsu' (technique/art - though different kanji, the sound is common).
Preparation
Always bring a notebook and pen to a 'kaigi.' Taking notes is seen as a sign of attentiveness and respect.
Group Harmony
Japanese meetings often focus on 'wa' (harmony). Avoid blunt disagreements; use 'but' phrases carefully.
Example
会議が始まります。
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