めぐり合あい

め

ぐ

り

あ

い

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

noun

chance meeting; fortuitous encounter

usually written using kana alone

Refers to an unexpected, often fateful meeting with someone. Carries a poetic or slightly literary feel, often used in contexts of romance or destiny.

あの日ひ、君きみとめぐり合あいがなければ、今いまの僕ぼくはいなかった。
If I hadn't had that chance meeting with you that day, I wouldn't be who I am now.
旅たび先さきでのめぐり合あいが、かけがえのない思おもい出でになった。
The fortuitous encounter during my travels became an irreplaceable memory.

Kanji

合fit, suit, join
巡patrol, go around, circumference
廻round, game, revolve
回-times, round, game

Related words

出で会あいN3
巡り合い emphasizes a fateful or destined meeting, whereas 出会い is the plain, general word for any meeting.

Written forms

めぐり合あいUsage73%
It is usually written in kana. This mixed kanji-kana form is common and clear.
巡めぐり合あいUsage27%
Kanji spelling using 巡, which carries the nuance of going around or circulating.
廻めぐり合あい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 廻; it is rarely used.
回めぐり合あい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 回; it is rarely used.

Etymology

Compound of 巡り (めぐり, 'going around, circulating') + 合い (あい, 'meeting, coming together'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word evokes the idea of paths crossing by chance.