What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to "again (mata) soon/in the near future (chikai uchi ni) if we can meet (aeru to) it would be good (ii ne)."
Which one should you use?
While また近いうちに会えるといいね is a standard way to express this, other forms exist depending on your relationship with the person and the level of urgency. For example, Mata sugu aoou ne (またすぐ会おうね) translates to "Let's meet again soon, okay?" and the simpler Matane (またね) means "See you again.". For formal situations, you might use Hayaku o-ai dekiru to ii desu ne (はやくお会いできるといいですね) to mean "I hope we can meet soon" or Mou sugu o-ai dekiru to iidesu ne (もうすぐお会いできるといいですね) to express "I hope we can meet very soon.".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form また近いうちに会えるといいね is informal and is best used with friends, family or peers rather than in a professional business setting. In a professional or business context, use the formal またお会いできるのを楽しみにしています (mata oai dekiru no o tanoshimi ni shite imasu) or the polite Hayaku o-ai dekiru to ii desu ne (はやくお会いできるといいですね).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the potential form of the verb 'au' (to meet), which is 'aeru' (can meet), to express the possibility of the meeting.
How do you pronounce it?
mata chikai uchi ni aeru to ii ne
Did you know?
- Japanese has a concept called 'kuuki o yomu' or 'reading the air', where a person might say また近いうちに ('in the near future') to politely end a conversation without ever intending to schedule a date.
- In very formal business settings, even 'hope to see you soon' might be replaced by expressions regarding the health or prosperity of the other party to show respect before actually mentioning a meeting.
- While English speakers say 'see you', Japanese speakers often prefer to use the verb 'au' (to meet), which focuses on the act of encounter rather than the visual sense of sight.
Examples in context
- また近いうちに会えるといいね。Mata chikai uchi ni aeru to ii ne.I hope we can see each other again soon.
- また近いうちに会えるといいね、元気でね。Mata chikai uchi ni aeru to ii ne, genki de ne.I hope to see you soon, take care.
- また近いうちに会えるといいね！Mata chikai uchi ni aeru to ii ne!Hope to see you again soon!
Example conversation
Yui and Youta are saying goodbye at a train station.
- 結衣 Yui今日は楽しかったよ。また近いうちに会えるといいね。Kyou wa tanoshikatta yo. Mata chikai uchi ni aeru to ii ne.I had a great time today. I hope to see you again soon.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、僕も。また近いうちに会えるといいね。Un, boku mo. Mata chikai uchi ni aeru to ii ne.Yeah, me too. I hope we can see each other again soon.
- 結衣 Yuiじゃあ、また連絡するね。Jaa, mata renraku suru ne.Well, I'll contact you again.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、待ってるよ。気をつけて。Un, matteru yo. Ki o tsukete.Okay, I'll be waiting. Get home safely.
