Translation guide
A casual social gathering or meeting, often among friends, family, or colleagues. Japanese has many words for different types of gatherings, from formal parties to casual hangouts.
A relaxed, informal meeting to eat, drink, or chat.
General word for a gathering or meeting. Neutral and widely used.
今週末、友達の家で小さな集まりがある。
There's a small get-together at a friend's house this weekend.
A drinking party, very common among colleagues or friends. Implies alcohol.
金曜日に職場の飲み会がある。
There's a work get-together (drinking party) on Friday.
A meal gathering, often more organized than a casual hangout.
来月、家族で食事会を開く予定です。
We're planning a family get-together (meal) next month.
A house party, often potluck-style. Borrowed from English.
今度の土曜日にホームパーティーをしない？
Why don't we have a get-together (house party) this Saturday?
A planned event, often with a larger group, like a class reunion or club meeting.
A class reunion or alumni gathering.
高校の同窓会が10年ぶりに開かれた。
Our high school get-together (reunion) was held for the first time in 10 years.
A social gathering to foster friendship, often used in business or organizational contexts.
An exchange meeting or mixer, often for networking.
An informal, often spontaneous meeting, like grabbing coffee or hanging out.
Verb meaning 'to gather' or 'to get together'. Very common.
明日、駅前で集まろう。
Let's get together in front of the station tomorrow.
Simply 'to meet'. Often used for one-on-one or small group hangouts.
久しぶりに会って話そう。
Let's get together and catch up.
To hang out or play. Implies a fun, casual get-together.
集まり is the most general term for any gathering. 飲み会 specifically involves alcohol and is common for work or friend groups. パーティー often implies a more festive, decorated event, like a birthday party, but can also be used for casual home parties (ホームパーティー).
今夜は友達と集まりがある。
I have a get-together with friends tonight.
今夜は会社の飲み会だ。
Tonight is the office drinking party.
今夜は友達の誕生日パーティーだ。
Tonight is my friend's birthday party.
The verb 集まる is very flexible. You can use it to suggest meeting up without specifying the activity. It's natural for casual invitations.
暇だったら集まらない？
If you're free, want to get together?
Tonight is my friend's birthday party.
The verb 集まる is very flexible. You can use it to suggest meeting up without specifying the activity. It's natural for casual invitations.
暇だったら集まらない？
If you're free, want to get together?
新入社員の懇親会が来週あります。
There's a get-together (social) for new employees next week.
留学生と日本人学生の交流会に参加した。
I joined a get-together (exchange event) for international and Japanese students.
Want to get together sometime?