Japanese verbs have conjugations.「会う(あう、au)」is a verb and means “meet” or “will meet.” It can also be translated as “see” depending on the sentence. We will teach you the conjugation in this page. You can also learn example sentences using verb conjugations.
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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
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: meet, will meet
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Dictionary & Plain Form | 会う | au |
| ます & Polite Form | 会います | aimasu |
「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.
I’ll meet Sato-san at 9 o’clock today.
今日の９時に佐藤さんと会う。 (Plain Form)
今日の９時に佐藤さんと会います。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not meet, will not meet
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会わない | awanai |
| Polite Form | 会いません | aimasen |
I won’t meet Sato-san at 9 o’clock today.
今日の９時に佐藤さんと会わない。(Plain Form)
今日の９時に佐藤さんと会いません。(Polite Form)
Past Tense
English Meaning: met
The plain form is in “た form”. “た form” is also a technical term for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| た & Plain Form | 会った | atta |
| Polite Form | 会いました | aimashita |
I met Sato-san at 9 o’clock yesterday.
昨日は9時に佐藤さんと会った。(Plain Form)
昨日は9時に佐藤さんと会いました。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: did not meet
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会わなかった | awanakatta |
| Polite Form | 会いませんでした | aimasendeshita |
I didn’t meet Sato-san at 9 o’clock yesterday.
昨日は9時に佐藤さんと会わなかった。(Plain Form)
昨日は9時に佐藤さんと会いませんでした。(Polite Form)
て Form
English Meaning: N/A
We cannot know the exact meaning without knowing the sentence and situation.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| て Form | 会って | atte |
About the phrases「ている」and「ています」: Here
About the phrase「～てください。」: Here
I met my boyfriend in the morning and went to a restaurant together.
午前中に彼氏と会って、一緒にレストランに行きました。(Polite Form)
In this case,「て」means “and” or “after.”
Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination
English Meaning: will meet
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 会おう | aō |
| Polite Form | N/A | N/A |
This phrase is used only in plain form. This is because we use it when we talk to ourselves or think in our minds. When we talk or think to ourselves, we usually do not use the polite form.
I’ll meet my boyfriend next month.
来月は彼氏と会おう。(Plain Form)
Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation
English Meaning: let’s meet
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 会おう | aō |
| Polite Form | 会いましょう | aimashyō |
Let’s meet at Ueno Station on Tuesday!
火曜日に上野駅で会おう。(Plain Form)
火曜日に上野駅で会いましょう。(Polite Form)
Imperative Form
English Meaning: meet! (order, command)
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会え | ae |
Meet with the customer within this week!
今週中にそのお客さんと会え。(Plain Form)
“Imperative form” is used only in plain form and this phrase often becomes rude depending on the situation. Please show us your Japanese when you use it. We will check and teach you suitable Japanese.
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Prohibition and Order
English Meaning: do not meet!
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会うな | auna |
Don’t meet that man!
あの男と会うな。(Plain Form)
Conditional Form
English Meaning: if (subject) meet
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 会えば | aeba |
If I meet my grandfather tomorrow, I’ll receive an allowance from him.
明日祖父と会えば、お小遣いを貰えるでしょう。(Polite Form)
Hypothetical/Definite Conditions, Sequence of Actions
English Meanings: if/when ~ meet, ~ met and ~
The form「～たら」has different usages. It has other meanings except from those listed above. More explanations are in our conversation lessons or mail support.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 会ったら | attara |
Here is an example sentence wherein「たら」indicates a “sequence of actions.”
When I met my grandmother, I got some snacks.
祖母に会ったら、お菓子を貰いました。(Polite Form)
Causative Form
English Meaning: make/let/have (person) meet
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会わせる | awaseru |
| Polite Form | 会わせます | awasemasu |
I’ll let my boyfriend meet my parents.
彼氏を両親に会わせる。(Plain Form)
彼氏を両親に会わせます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) meet
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 会わせない | awasenai |
| Polite Form | 会わせません | awasemasen |
I won’t let my boyfriend meet my father.
彼氏を父親に会わせない。 (Plain Form)
彼氏を父親に会わせません。(Polite Form)
Potential Verb
「可能動詞 (potential verb/s)」is a verb classification that indicates “be able to” or “can do something.”「会える(あえる、aeru)」is one of the potential verbs.「会う」and「会える」are different verbs in Japanese. The details of the potential verb「会える」is here:
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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