ichidan verb, transitive verb
Used for aligning rhythm, speed, timing, or settings to something else. Common with テンポ, 速度, 時計, 予定, etc.
音楽に合わせて踊る。
Dance to the music.
時計を合わせてください。
Please set your watch.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Covers putting things together physically or abstractly: joining parts, combining efforts, adding numbers, mixing ingredients, overlapping, or connecting. 併せる is common for merging organizations or schedules.
力を合わせて頑張ろう。
Let's work together and do our best.
二つの会社を併せて大きなグループになった。
The two companies merged into a large group.
材料を全部合わせて混ぜる。
Combine all the ingredients and mix.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Used when two people or things are positioned facing each other. Often appears in set phrases like 顔を合わせる (meet face-to-face) or 膝を合わせる (sit knee-to-knee for a serious talk).
See also: 顔を合わせる
彼と顔を合わせるたびに緊張する。
I get nervous every time I see him face-to-face.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
compare; check against
Used for comparing two things side by side, or checking one thing against another (e.g., a translation against the original, or a list against a record).
原文と訳文を合わせて確認する。
Check the translation against the original.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
cause to meet (unpleasant fate)
Used in expressions like 災難に合わせる (cause someone to meet with misfortune) or ひどい目に合わせる (put someone through a terrible experience). The subject causes the unpleasant situation.
See also: 遭う
彼は私をひどい目に合わせた。
He put me through a terrible experience.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Literally to put blades together; used for sword fighting or, by extension, any direct confrontation. Often in the form 刃を合わせる.
二人の剣士が刃を合わせた。
The two swordsmen crossed blades.