顔(かお)を合(あ)わせる

かおをあわせる
expression
to meet face-to-face; to see each other
communication
1. to meet face-to-face; to see each other in person
Describes meeting someone in person, often implying a direct encounter rather than a planned meeting. Can carry a nuance of awkwardness or inevitability when the encounter is unwanted.
毎朝(まいあさ)隣(となり)の人(ひと)と顔(かお)を合(あ)わせる。
I see my neighbor face-to-face every morning.
けんかした後(あと)で顔(かお)を合(あ)わせるのが気(き)まずい。
It's awkward to see each other after a fight.
久(ひさ)しぶりに家族(かぞく)全員(ぜんいん)が顔(かお)を合(あ)わせて、にぎやかな食事(しょくじ)になった。
The whole family got together for the first time in a while, and it was a lively meal.

Usage

A common set phrase for meeting someone in person. Unlike 会(あ)う, which simply means "to meet," 顔(かお)を合(あ)わせる emphasizes the face-to-face aspect and can imply an unplanned or unavoidable encounter.

Common collocations

  • 毎日(まいにち)顔(かお)を合(あ)わせる (to see each other every day)
  • 顔(かお)を合(あ)わせるたびに (every time we meet)
  • 顔(かお)を合(あ)わせにくい (hard to face someone)

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 対面(たいめん) (to meet face-to-face)
general
Added 2026.3.15 11:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16919_kaowoawaseru