Translation and Meaning of: 合う - au

The word 合う (あう) is one of those Japanese verbs that seem simple, but carry a wealth of meanings and uses in everyday life. If you've ever wondered how to say that something "matches," "fits," or even "is correct" in Japanese, this is the key word. In this article, we will explore everything from the etymology to curiosities about how the Japanese use 合う in everyday situations — and why it is so versatile. Furthermore, if you use Anki or another memorization system, you will find practical sentences to boost your studies.

The ideogram 合 (which makes up the word) already gives a visual clue about its meaning: it represents two hands coming together, symbolizing harmony and adjustment. But does this image reflect all the uses of the word? Let’s uncover everything from the basics to tips that even books rarely teach, such as puns used in mangas or situations where the Japanese often use this verb to avoid more complicated expressions.

The origin and the ideogram of 合う

The kanji 合 is formed by the combination of the radicals 亼 (roof) and 口 (mouth), but its more intuitive representation comes from the ancient pictogram: two hands (手) meeting. This idea of "to unite" or "to combine" permeates all the meanings of 合う. Interestingly, in ancient China, this character was also used in military contexts to indicate that the troops were synchronized — something like "to be in tune."

In modern Japanese, this notion of synchronicity remains alive. When you say 意見が合う (iken ga au), you are affirming that opinions "matched", like gears that fit perfectly together. It is no coincidence that words like 合コン (gokon, group date) and 試合 (shiai, sporting match) carry the same kanji: they all involve interactions where the adjustment between parts is essential.

How do Japanese people use 合う in their daily lives?

In clothing stores, it is common to hear Does this size fit? (kono saizu ga aimasu ka?), asking if the size "fits" — but the same structure applies to schedules (時間が合う), musical tastes, or even personal relationships. A valuable tip: Japanese people love to use 合う as a casual alternative to more specific verbs. Instead of saying "these shoes don't hurt me," many opt for この靴は合わない (kono kutsu wa awanai), suggesting that the footwear "doesn't match" the foot.

In restaurants, notice how waiters ask 味はお口に合いますか？ (aji wa o-kuchi ni aimasu ka?), literally "does the flavor meet your mouth?". This construction reveals how the Japanese language personifies even flavors, treating the harmony between dish and palate as an active "encounter". To memorize, think of 合う as the verb of perfect connections — from the most concrete (like keys and locks) to the most abstract (like soulmates).

Tips to never forget 合う

An infallible technique is to associate kanji with visual situations: imagine two pieces of Lego (合) clicking together with a satisfying "click." If you like music, that tuning an instrument in Japanese is 調子を合わせる (choushi o awaseru) — once again, the verb appears as the maestro of harmony. And be careful with the false cognate: 会う (also "au") means "to meet someone," but uses a different kanji (会), so pay attention to the context.

To solidify once and for all, create absurd sentences like このドレスは私のワニに合う (kono doresu wa watashi no wani ni au — "this dress matches my crocodile"). The comedic contrast helps to memorize the structure. And if you want to impress, throw out a ピッタリ合うね！ (pittari au ne!) when something fits perfectly — this "pittari" is the Japanese onomatopoeia for things that adjust without any slack.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 合う

• 合う - base form
• 合わない - Negative
• 合いました - affirmative past
• 合わなかった - Negative past
• 合います - Formal affirmative/present
• 合わないでください - Negative imperative

Synonyms and similar words

• 合致する (gacch suru) - Agree, match
• 一致する (icchi suru) - become identical, agree
• 適合する (tekigō suru) - adapt, be in compliance
• 調和する (chōwa suru) - harmonize, create harmony
• 合わせる (awaseru) - to adjust, to combine, to match
• 適する (tekisuru) - be suitable, serve to