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.
I'm planning to meet him tomorrow.
Implies a chance or fateful encounter, often with a nuance of 'come across'.
I met a wonderful person on my trip.
Formal/literary term for encountering something, often negative (e.g., an accident, a bear).
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.
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.
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.
The club meets every Friday.
Formal term for holding a meeting or gathering, often for business or official purposes.
To hold a meeting. 会議 is a meeting/conference.
To fulfill a condition, reach a level, or comply with a rule.
To satisfy, fulfill (a condition, requirement, need).
This product meets safety standards.
To achieve, attain (a goal, target). Often used for meeting targets or deadlines.
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.
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 come together or converge, as in lines, roads, or rivers.
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.
Nice to meet you.
Standard greeting when meeting someone for the first time.
I'm pleased to meet you.
Polite expression after being introduced.
Let's meet again.
We met by chance.
I met (got to know) him in college.
I am honored to meet the company president.
The board of directors meets once a month.
We will meet (have a meeting) about the project tomorrow.
お客様のご要望にお応えします。
We will meet your requests.
I went to the station to meet the client.
次の試合でシード選手と当たる。
I'll meet a seeded player in the next match.
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.