Translation guide
How to talk about meeting someone in person after interacting online, or organizing a real-life gathering.
The speaker wants to express the idea of meeting someone face-to-face for the first time after knowing them online.
The most natural way to say 'meet in person'. It literally means 'meet in reality'.
ネットで知り合った人と実際に会った。
I met someone I got to know online in person.
A common term for an organized offline meetup of an online community. 'オフ' comes from 'offline'.
今度のオフ会に参加する？
Are you going to the next meetup?
Uses the loanword 'リアル' (real) to emphasize the contrast with online interaction. Common in casual conversation.
今度リアルで会おうよ。
Let's meet up in real life sometime.
The speaker wants to propose or plan a face-to-face gathering for a group that usually interacts online.
The standard way to say 'hold an offline meetup'. Used for planned events.
来月、オフ会を開く予定です。
We're planning to hold a meetup next month.
A 'real-life event', often used for larger or more formal gatherings that originated online.
このコミュニティのリアルイベントは毎年夏にある。
This community's real-life event is held every summer.
A more general phrase meaning 'gather in person'. Suitable for any group.
オンラインのメンバーで実際に集まった。
The online members gathered in person.
The speaker wants to clarify whether an interaction is happening online or in person.
Means 'not online, but...' and is often followed by '実際に' or 'リアルで'.
オンラインではなく、実際に会って話したい。
I want to meet and talk in person, not online.
Used as a noun or adjective to mean 'in real life' or 'real-life'. Very common in casual contexts.
リアルの友達も大事だよ。
Real-life friends are important too.
The abbreviation 'IRL' is not used in Japanese. Use phrases like '実際に' or 'リアルで' instead.
IRLで会う
meet IRL (incorrect)
'オフ会' specifically refers to a planned gathering of an online community. It's not used for one-on-one casual meetings.