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出会い (であい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 1,000 Meanings 1
noun
meeting ; encounter ; rendezvous
General term for meeting someone, whether planned or by chance. Can be used for romantic dates or casual get-togethers.
ぐう
然ぜん
の
出で
会あ
い
が
あっ
た
。
I had a chance encounter at that café.
2
noun
first meeting ; coming across
Specifically refers to the first time one meets someone or encounters something. Often used in contexts like 'fateful first meeting' or 'first encounter with a new culture'.
3
noun
confluence
Only when written 出合い / 出合
Geographical term for the point where two rivers meet. Almost exclusively written as 出合い or 出合.
Written forms 出で 会あ い Usage 93%
Standard spelling for encounters and meetings, including first meetings. High frequency in news.
出で 合あ い Usage 3%
Preferred spelling for the confluence of rivers or streams.
出で 合あい Usage 2%
Abbreviated spelling for confluence, less common than 出合い.
出で 逢あ い Usage 1%
Often used for romantic or fateful encounters, emphasizing the emotional aspect of meeting someone.
出で 会あい Usage 1%
Abbreviated spelling, mostly seen in compounds or older texts.
出で 遭あ い Usage <1%
Rare spelling implying an unexpected or chance encounter, sometimes with a negative nuance.
Similar words 出で 会あ う Verb form meaning 'to meet by chance' or 'to come across'. 出会い is the noun form derived from this verb.
遭そう 遇ぐう More formal and often used for encountering danger, accidents, or unexpected situations, whereas 出会い is neutral and commonly used for people.
Etymology Noun form of the verb 出会う (であう), composed of 出る (でる, 'to go out') and 会う (あう, 'to meet'). The spelling 出逢い uses 逢う, which emphasizes a fateful or romantic meeting.
meeting, tryst, date
