会う

• Reading: あう
• Romaji: au
• Kanji breakdown: 会 (kai/a) — to meet, to gather, association
• Pronunciation: /a.ɯ/

Meaning

To meet; to encounter; to see someone. Used for both planned meetings and chance encounters.

A Group 1 (godan) verb. Takes the particle に for the person you meet (友達に会う). Distinct from 合う (to match/fit) which is a homophone. One of the most essential social verbs, used in greetings like お会いできて嬉しいです (pleased to meet you).

Examples

1. 明日友達に会います。 I'm meeting my friend tomorrow.
2. 久しぶりに先生に会った。 I saw my teacher for the first time in a while.
3. 駅で偶然田中さんに会いました。 I happened to run into Mr. Tanaka at the station.

Usage Guide

Context: social life, daily life, greetings

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 会 depicts a gathering or assembly, combining 合 (to join) with a cover radical suggesting people coming together under one roof.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal