遭遇|そうぐうsouguu[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbencounter; running into; meeting with (e.g. an accident); being confronted with (e.g. a difficulty)
    私わたしたちは多おおくの困難こんなんに遭遇そうぐうした。↗
    We encountered many difficulties.
Conjugation
Dictionary form遭遇する(そうぐうする)
Polite (masu)遭遇します(そうぐうします)
Negative (nai)遭遇しない(そうぐうしない)
polite (masen)遭遇しません(そうぐうしません)
classical zu / nu遭遇せず・遭遇せぬ(そうぐうせず・そうぐうせぬ)
Past (ta)遭遇した(そうぐうした)
polite (mashita)遭遇しました(そうぐうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)遭遇しなかった(そうぐうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)遭遇しませんでした(そうぐうしませんでした)
Te form遭遇して(そうぐうして)
Potential遭遇できる(そうぐうできる)
Passive遭遇される(そうぐうされる)
Causative遭遇させる(そうぐうさせる)
Causative passive遭遇させられる(そうぐうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)遭遇すれば(そうぐうすれば)
tara遭遇したら(そうぐうしたら)
Volitional遭遇しよう(そうぐうしよう)
polite (mashou)遭遇しましょう(そうぐうしましょう)
Imperative遭遇しろ(そうぐうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym出くわすでくわすCasualColloquial: happening to run into people or things, often ones you'd rather not meet. 「遭遇」 is more written and mostly for accidents and enemies.
  • SynonymエンカウンターNeutralLoanword for a chance encounter, used mostly in games and psychology; rare in everyday conversation.
  • SynonymあうNeutralThe most common word, a general term for meeting or encountering; when written 「遭う」 it specifically means running into something bad.
  • Synonymめぐり合うめぐりあうNeutralReuniting after a long separation or happening on someone or something you have been hoping for; carries a positive tone.
  • Synonym出会うであうNeutralMeeting by chance or getting to know someone; fits good and bad cases alike, as in 「運命の人に出会う」. 「遭遇」 is more written and mostly for the unexpected.
  • Related際会さいかいWrittenWritten/formal prose: happening upon a particular moment or situation, as in 「難局に際会する」; the emphasis is on the timing.
  • RelatedめぐりあいNeutralA chance meeting, often with a fateful feel; 「遭遇」 is mostly for bad or unexpected run-ins.
  • Antonym回避かいひNeutralAntonym: deliberately keeping away from something, the opposite of the run-ins 「遭遇」 describes.

Use 「遭遇」 for unexpectedly running into accidents, enemies or difficulties. For casual chance meetings say 「出くわす」, for meeting and getting to know someone 「出会う」, and for a fateful encounter 「めぐり合う」. To deliberately avoid something, use 「回避」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 思おもいがけない人ひと・物もの・出来事できごとなどに出会であうこと。偶然ぐうぜん出会であうこと。「遭」も「遇」も「不意ふいに会あう」の意い。エンカウント。
  2. 偶然ぐうぜん出会であう。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android