How to say "gathering" in Japanese

• 集合しゅうごうJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the act of people meeting up or assembling at an appointed time and place; it frames the gathering as the act of assembling rather than the event itself.
  隊長たいちょうは部下ぶかに直ただちに集合しゅうごうするように命令めいれいした。↗

  The captain ordered his men to gather at once.
• 収集しゅうしゅうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbGathering in the sense of collecting or accumulating things — data, information, materials — rather than people; for a gathering of people this is not the word you want.
  情報じょうほうを収集しゅうしゅうしなければならない。↗

  We have to gather information.
• 集まりあつまりJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA gathering viewed as an event or a crowd — the people who have come together, as at a family or friendly get-together; it can also mean a collection of things.
  ごく内輪うちわの集あつまりなのです。↗

  It's quite an informal meeting.
• 集会しゅうかいJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAn organized assembly of people brought together for a purpose — a public meeting, rally, or congregation — rather than a casual get-together.
  集会しゅうかいは７時じに解散かいさんした。↗

  The meeting broke up at seven.
• 会合かいごうJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA meeting or get-together arranged for discussion or business; it denotes the occasion itself — colleagues or representatives convening — rather than the act of assembling.
  これはとても大切たいせつな会合かいごうだ。↗

  This is a very important meeting.

For people, 集合 names the act of meeting up, 「集まり」 the gathering or crowd itself, 集会 an organized assembly, and 会合 a meeting held for discussion; for gathering things, such as data, use 収集.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 集合しゅうごうmeeting up
• 収集しゅうしゅうcollecting
• 集まりあつまりgathering
• 集会しゅうかいmeeting
• 会合かいごうmeeting
• 集約しゅうやくputting together (e.g. opinions)
• 集結しゅうけつmassing (of troops)
• 採集さいしゅうcollecting
• 会かいmeeting
• 寄り合いよりあいmeeting
• 大会たいかいmass meeting
• 採取さいしゅpicking
• 群集ぐんしゅうcrowd
• 勢ぞろいせいぞろいassembling (in full force)
• 群むらgathering
• 拾いひろいpicking up
• 屯たむろgathering
• ギャザリングgathering
• 呼集こしゅうgathering (esp. troops)
• 座中ざちゅうgathering
• 交流会こうりゅうかいgathering
• 取り集めとりあつめcollection
• 採捕さいほcollecting (plants and animals)
• 懇談会こんだんかいinformal meeting
• 丁合いちょうあいcollation of sections (bookbinding)
• 折丁おりちょうquire (bookbinding)
• 集取しゅうしゅcollecting
• 集録しゅうろくcompilation (of writings)
• 取り纏めとりまとめcollecting
• 座ざgathering
• 狩りかりgathering (mushrooms, shellfish, etc.)
• よせgathering
• つぎはぎcobbling together (other people's writings, thoughts, etc.)