再会する

§ Understanding 再会する (saikai suru)

再会する (saikai suru) is a verb that means 'to reunite' or 'to meet again after a period of separation.' It's a common and useful verb to know, especially when talking about meeting friends, family, or colleagues you haven't seen for a while. The 'suru' (する) part means 'to do,' so it literally translates to 'to do a reunion.'

§ Basic Sentence Structure with 再会する

The most straightforward way to use 再会する is to state that someone reunites with someone else. You'll typically use the particle と (to) to indicate the person or people you are reuniting with.

Particle と (to)

Used to indicate the person or people with whom you are reuniting. It functions similarly to 'with' in English.

§ Specifying the 'When' and 'Where' of Reunions

You can add more detail to your sentences by including when and where the reunion will take place. For 'when,' you can use time-related nouns or phrases. For 'where,' you'll typically use the particle で (de).

Particle で (de)

Indicates the location where an action takes place. Think of it as 'at' or 'in' when referring to the place of an activity.

§ Expressing Hope or Desire to Reunite

To express a desire or hope to reunite, you can use the -tai form (たい) of the verb.

• 再会したい (saikai shitai): want to reunite
• 再会したかった (saikai shitakatta): wanted to reunite

§ Using 再会する in Different Tenses

Like all Japanese verbs, 再会する can be conjugated to express different tenses and politeness levels. Here are a few common conjugations:

• 再会します (saikai shimasu): polite present/future
• 再会しました (saikai shimashita): polite past
• 再会しない (saikai shinai): plain negative
• 再会しなかった (saikai shinakatta): plain negative past

§ Understanding 再会する in Context

You've learned that 再会する (さいかいする) means 'to reunite' or 'to meet again after a period of separation.' Now, let's look at how you'll actually encounter this word in everyday Japanese, particularly in formal settings like work, school, and the news. It's a word that conveys a sense of importance and often implies a planned or significant reunion, rather than just a casual bump-in.

§ 再会する in Work Settings

In a business or professional context, 再会する is frequently used when discussing meetings with colleagues, clients, or partners after a period of not seeing each other. This could be after a long business trip, a period of remote work, or even a hiatus. It's a good word to use when emphasizing the re-establishment of a connection.

DEFINITION

When a company's representatives meet again with a client after a previous engagement.

HINT

I had an opportunity to meet again with a long-term client the other day.

• It's common in emails or formal reports to describe these kinds of meetings.
• You might hear it in internal company announcements regarding project teams reuniting.

§ 再会する in School and Academic Contexts

In academic settings, 再会する often comes up when talking about school reunions, alumni events, or meeting former teachers or classmates. It carries a nostalgic or sentimental tone, highlighting the passage of time since the last meeting.

DEFINITION

Describing a school reunion where former students meet again.

HINT

I'm looking forward to reuniting with old friends at my elementary school reunion next month.

• You'll see this word in announcements for alumni gatherings or commemorative events.
• Teachers might use it when talking about seeing former students after they've graduated.

§ 再会する in News and Media

In news reports, 再会する is often employed to describe significant reunions, especially those with public interest. This could involve political figures, long-lost family members, or even celebrities. It adds a formal and often poignant touch to the narrative.

DEFINITION

Reporting on a significant meeting between two national leaders after some time.

HINT

The leaders of both countries are scheduled to reunite for the first time in several years.

• News headlines frequently use this verb for impact and clarity.
• It's also used in stories about individuals reuniting with family members after natural disasters or long separations.

§ Key Takeaways for 再会する

Remember, 再会する is more than just 'to meet again.' It implies a prior relationship and a period of separation. It carries a sense of significance, making it suitable for formal contexts in work, school, and news reporting. Pay attention to the context to fully grasp the nuances of its usage.

DEFINITION

A summary of when and where you'll hear 再会する.

• In formal business communications when meeting clients or colleagues again.
• For academic events like school reunions or alumni gatherings.
• In news articles and broadcasts for significant or newsworthy reunions.

§ Don't Confuse with 会う (au)

Many learners, especially at the beginner and intermediate levels, often mix up 再会する (saikai suru) and 会う (au). While both involve meeting, their nuances are quite different.

DEFINITION

会う (au) is a general verb for 'to meet'. It can be used for any meeting, whether it's the first time, a regular meeting, or an unexpected encounter.

DEFINITION

再会する (saikai suru), on the other hand, specifically means 'to reunite' or 'to meet again after a period of separation'. It implies that you have met this person before, there was a gap, and now you are meeting again.

This sentence uses 会う because it's a simple statement about meeting. It doesn't necessarily imply a long separation or a reunion.

Here, 再会する is appropriate because it explicitly states a reunion after a long time (十年ぶり - after ten years).

§ Using 再会する in Inappropriate Contexts

Another common error is using 再会する in situations where a simple meeting is described, or where the formality and weight of 'reunion' don't fit. 再会する often carries a slightly more formal or emotional tone than 会う. It's often used for significant reunions, like with old friends, family members, or colleagues after a long time apart. It's less common for casual, everyday meetings.

• Incorrect:

  今日、友達とカフェで再会します。(Today, I will reunite with my friend at the cafe.)

  Unless you haven't seen this friend in a very long time and this meeting is truly a 'reunion,' this sounds unnatural. It implies a significant period of separation.

• Correct:

  今日、友達とカフェで会います。(Today, I will meet my friend at the cafe.)

  This is the natural way to say you're meeting a friend for a casual outing.

§ Overlooking the 'Suru' Verb Form

Remember that 再会 is a noun, and to make it a verb, you need to add する (suru). Some learners might mistakenly try to use 再会 as a verb on its own.

• Incorrect:

  彼と公園で再会。(Him and at the park reunion.)

  This is grammatically incomplete and doesn't function as a verb phrase.

• Correct:

  彼と公園で再会する。(To reunite with him at the park.)

  Adding する makes it a proper verb phrase.

By being mindful of these distinctions and practicing with examples, you'll master 再会する in no time and avoid common pitfalls.