「会う」（あう）- To Meet

Explanation

The verb 「会う」 (あう) is a common and important word in Japanese, primarily used to mean "to meet" or "to see someone." It is typically used to describe situations where people meet each other.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Person + と + 会う	Person + と + 会う	Indicates a meeting or encounter between people.

Basic Usage

Pattern	Example	English Translation
Person + と + 会う	彼かれは友達ともだちと会あう。	He meets his friend.
	明日あした、先生せんせいに会あいます。	I will meet the teacher tomorrow.

Deep Dive

Basic Concept of 「会う」

The core meaning of 「会う」 is "to meet," typically referring to the act of two or more people meeting at a specific time and place. It is widely used, from casual meetups with friends to formal meetings.

Advanced Usage

• お目めにかかる: This is the humble form of 「会う」, used to show respect to the other person.
  • Example:
    • 明日あしたお目めにかかります。
    • I will have the honor of meeting you tomorrow.
      

Tense Conjugation

「会う」 conjugates like other godan verbs. Here are some common conjugations:

Tense	Form	Example	English Translation
Past	会あった	昨日きのう、友達ともだちに会あった。	I met my friend yesterday.
Negative	会あわない	今日きょうは誰だれにも会あわない。	I won't meet anyone today.
Potential	会あえる	明日あした、会あえるかもしれない。	We might be able to meet tomorrow.

Real-Life Scenarios

Here are some examples from real-life conversations to help understand the usage of 「会う」:

• A: 明日あした、暇ひまですか？
  • A: Are you free tomorrow?
    
• B: はい、暇ひまです。
  • B: Yes, I am free.
    
• A: じゃあ、カフェで会あいましょう。
  • A: Then, let's meet at the café.
    
• B: はい、わかりました。
  • B: Okay, got it.
    

Summary

The verb 「会う」 is very commonly used in Japanese, and understanding its meaning and usage is essential for daily communication. By learning its basic and advanced usages, you can better master how to use this verb effectively.