遭(あ)う

あう
verb (godan)
to encounter, to meet with (misfortune)
1. to encounter, to meet with (misfortune, accident, disaster)
To experience or be subjected to something unpleasant or unfortunate, such as an accident, disaster, or undesirable situation. Unlike 会う (to meet someone), this verb is used exclusively for negative encounters.
事故(じこ)に遭(あ)った。
I was in an accident.
災害(さいがい)に遭(あ)う。
To experience a disaster.
山(やま)で吹雪(ふぶき)に遭(あ)って、大変(たいへん)だった。
I got caught in a blizzard in the mountains and it was terrible.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Pattern: Xに遭(あ)う (encounter X).

CONTRAST WITH 会(あ)う:

  • 会(あ)う - to meet (people), neutral/positive
  • 遭(あ)う - to encounter (misfortune), always negative

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 事故(じこ)に遭(あ)う (be in an accident)
  • 災害(さいがい)に遭(あ)う (experience a disaster)
  • 被害(ひがい)に遭(あ)う (suffer damage)
  • ひどい目(め)に遭(あ)う (have a terrible experience)
  • 偉(えら)い目(め)に遭(あ)う (go through a hard time)

ASPECT: 遭(あ)っている can mean 'is experiencing' or 'has encountered.'

general
Added 2026.2.2 19:21
09500/09500_au