1.
encounter, meeting
The act of meeting someone, especially for the first time or by chance. Often implies a meaningful or fateful encounter. The noun form of 出会う.
USAGE: 出会い often implies a significant or meaningful meeting, not just a casual encounter. Commonly used in romantic contexts and stories about fate.
KANJI VARIANTS:
- 出会い - general use, emphasizes the meeting aspect
- 出合い - can also be used, sometimes emphasizes chance
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜との出会い (encounter with ~)
- 運命の出会い (fateful encounter)
- 新しい出会い (new encounters)
- 出会いを求める (to seek encounters/connections)
MODERN USAGE:
RELATED: The verb form is 出会う (to meet, to encounter).