「会える(あえる、aeru)」is a verb that is classified as a「可能動詞 (かのうどうし、kanō dōshi、potential verb)」. It means “can meet” or “be able to meet.” It can also be translated as “can see” or “be able to see” depending on the sentence.「会う」and「会える」are different verbs in Japanese.
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Vocabulary Video
Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and ます forms.
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Dictionary Form/ます Form of a Potential Verb
As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.
English Meaning: can meet/be able to meet, will be able to meet
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Dictionary & Plain Form | 会える | aeru |
| ます & Polite Form | 会えます | aemasu |
「辞書形 (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形 (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.
Example Sentences
I’ll finally be able to meet Emma-san tomorrow
明日エマさんとやっと会える。(Plain Form)
明日エマさんとやっと会えます。(Polite Form)
In Japanese, the nuance between「エマ (Emma)」and「エマさん (Emma-san)」is different. Therefore, we wrote “san” in the English meaning.
I’ll be able to meet Fukuyama-san for the first time in three years.
３年ぶりに福山さんと会える。(Plain Form)
３年ぶりに福山さんと会えます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: cannot meet/not able to meet
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会えない | aenai |
| Polite Form | 会えません | aemasen |
Example Sentences
I won’t be able to meet Emma-san tomorrow.
明日エマさんと会えない。(Plain Form)
明日エマさんと会えません。(Polite Form)
I’m busy with work so I can’t see my family.
仕事が忙しくて家族と会えない。(Plain Form)
仕事が忙しくて家族と会えません。(Polite Form)
Conditional Form of a Potential Verb
Conditional form is「仮定形」in Japanese.
English Meaning: if (subject) meet
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会えれば | aereba |
Example Sentences
I hope you can meet Takahashi-san tomorrow.
明日高橋さんと会えればいいね。(Spoken and Non-Honorific Language)
明日高橋さんと会えればいいですね。(Spoken Language, Polite Form)
If I can meet Oshima-san on Tuesday, this job will be finished.
火曜日に大島さんと会えれば、この仕事が終わる。(Plain Form)
火曜日に大島さんと会えれば、この仕事が終わります。(Polite Form)
A Related Verb
「会う」is a verb related to「会える」. If you want to learn about it, please check out this page:
To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations
Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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