Translation guide
The English verb "meet" covers many situations: encountering someone, being introduced, gathering for an event, satisfying requirements, and more. Japanese uses different words and patterns depending on the context.
To come across or see someone, either accidentally or as arranged.
The most common verb for meeting someone. Used for both planned and chance encounters.
I met a friend at the station yesterday.
明日、彼に会う予定です。
I'm planning to meet him tomorrow.
Implies a chance or fateful encounter, often with a nuance of 'come across'.
旅先で素敵な人に出会った。
I met a wonderful person on my trip.
Formal/literary term for encountering something, often negative (e.g., an accident, a bear).
登山中に熊に遭遇した。
We encountered a bear while climbing.
To be introduced to someone or make someone's acquaintance.
Literally 'meet for the first time'. The standard way to say you met someone new.
昨日、彼の妹に初めて会った。
I met his sister for the first time yesterday.
To get to know someone, become acquainted. Often used in the past tense 知り合った.
大学で彼と知り合った。
I met (got to know) him in college.
Humble expression (謙譲語) used when meeting someone of higher status. Literally 'to be granted an audience'.
To come together as a group for a purpose, such as a meeting, party, or club activity.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to gather, assemble'. Focuses on the group coming together.
毎週金曜日にクラブが集まる。
The club meets every Friday.
Formal term for holding a meeting or gathering, often for business or official purposes.
取締役会は月に一度会合する。
The board of directors meets once a month.
To hold a meeting. 会議 is a meeting/conference.
明日、プロジェクトについて会議をします。
We will meet (have a meeting) about the project tomorrow.
To fulfill a condition, reach a level, or comply with a rule.
To satisfy, fulfill (a condition, requirement, need).
この製品は安全基準を満たしている。
This product meets safety standards.
To achieve, attain (a goal, target). Often used for meeting targets or deadlines.
売上目標を達成した。
We met the sales target.
To respond to, comply with (a request, demand). Often used in formal contexts.
To go to a station, airport, etc., to greet and receive someone.
To welcome, greet, pick up. The standard verb for meeting someone at the airport or station.
空港に友達を迎えに行く。
I'm going to the airport to meet my friend.
To go out to meet/welcome someone. Slightly more formal or emphasizes going out of one's way.
To compete against or face an opponent.
To play against, face off. Used in sports and games.
決勝で強豪チームと対戦する。
We will meet a strong team in the finals.
To face, be matched against. Common in tournament contexts.
次の試合でシード選手と当たる。
I'll meet a seeded player in the next match.
To come together or converge, as in lines, roads, or rivers.
To converge, join (rivers, roads, groups).
この二つの川は下流で合流する。
These two rivers meet downstream.
To intersect, cross. Used for lines, roads, etc.
この道とあの道は駅前で交わる。
This road and that road meet in front of the station.
会う is the general 'meet'. 出会う emphasizes a chance or fateful encounter, often with a positive nuance. 遭遇する is formal and often used for negative or unexpected encounters (accidents, disasters, wild animals).
When talking about a group gathering for a meeting or event, use 集まる or 会合する, not 会う. 会う is for meeting a person.
In Japanese, when introducing yourself, you don't say 'Nice to meet you' with a verb 'meet'. Instead, use はじめまして (Hajimemashite) as a set phrase.
社長にお目にかかることができて光栄です。
I am honored to meet the company president.
お客様のご要望にお応えします。
We will meet your requests.
駅までお客様を出迎えました。
I went to the station to meet the client.