meeting; encounter; rendezvous
General term for meeting someone, whether planned or by chance. Can be used for romantic dates or casual get-togethers.
I always look forward to meeting up with friends.
I had a chance encounter at that café.
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'.
I'll never forget the first time I met him.
My first encounter with Japanese culture changed my life.
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.
This town is located at the confluence of two rivers.
I had a nice encounter with someone while traveling.
He set out on a trip in search of new encounters.
It was truly a fateful encounter.
My first encounter with this book changed my life.
I want to cherish each and every encounter.
対面 stresses meeting someone face-to-face in a formal or business setting, while 出会い is broader and can include chance or casual encounters.
会合 refers to an organized gathering or meeting, whereas 出会い usually describes a personal or chance encounter between individuals.
出会い refers to a general encounter or first meeting between people, while 馴れ初め specifically means the story of how a couple began their romantic relationship.
Used when focusing on the number of times an encounter happens.
Often used for romantic or fateful encounters, emphasizing the emotional aspect of meeting someone.
Abbreviated spelling, mostly seen in compounds or older texts.
Rare spelling implying an unexpected or chance encounter, sometimes with a negative nuance.