間に合う

• Reading: まにあう
• Romaji: maniau
• Kanji breakdown: 間 (kan/ma) — interval, space, time; gate (門) + sun (日). 合 (gou/a) — fit, match
• Pronunciation: /ma.ni.a.ɯ/

Meaning

To be in time for; to make it on time. Used when arriving or finishing before a deadline.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb conjugated with the う row (間に合わない, 間に合います, 間に合った). Combines 間 (interval/time) with 合う (to fit/match), literally meaning the timing fits. Extremely common in daily Japanese, especially with trains, meetings, and deadlines.

Examples

1. 走ったら電車に間に合いました。 I ran and made it in time for the train.
2. 締め切りに間に合わないかもしれない。 I might not make it in time for the deadline.
3. バスに間に合うように早く出ましょう。 Let's leave early so we can catch the bus.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, work, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 間 (ma, interval/space/time) and 合う (au, to fit/match). The expression literally means to fit within the time interval — meeting a deadline precisely.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal