Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'coming across' something or someone in Japanese, covering accidental discovery, encountering people, and conveying impressions.
To express that you found or discovered something by chance, not intentionally.
A straightforward way to say 'found by chance'. Use when you want to emphasize the accidental nature.
古い写真を偶然見つけた。
I came across an old photo.
The basic verb for 'find'. In context, it often implies coming across something without needing to specify 'by chance'.
街で面白い店を見つけた。
I came across an interesting shop in town.
Similar to 偶然, but more casual. 'Happened to find'.
たまたま見つけた記事が役に立った。
An article I came across happened to be useful.
Formal/literary word for 'encounter', often used for unexpected or difficult situations.
登山中に熊に遭遇した。
I came across a bear while hiking.
To express that you met someone unexpectedly.
Common phrase for running into someone unexpectedly. Often used with 友達に (a friend) or 駅で (at the station).
昨日、駅で先生にばったり会った。
I came across my teacher at the station yesterday.
More literal 'met by chance'. Slightly more formal than ばったり.
旅行先で偶然会った。
We came across each other at the travel destination.
To encounter someone or something, often with a nuance of surprise or trouble. Can be used for people or situations.
To express how someone or something is perceived by others, often translated as 'come across as'.
Standard way to say 'give the impression of ~'. Use with adjectives or descriptive phrases.
彼は冷たいという印象を与える。
He comes across as cold.
Means 'looks like ~' or 'appears to be ~'. Commonly used for visual or behavioral impressions.
彼女は自信があるように見える。
She comes across as confident.
Passive form of 思う, meaning 'is thought to be ~'. More formal and objective.
彼の態度は失礼だと思われる。
His attitude comes across as rude.
The English phrase 'come across' has no single direct equivalent in Japanese. Always choose the expression based on whether you mean finding something, meeting someone, or conveying an impression.
変な人に出くわした。
I came across a strange person.