かいぎ
kaigiformal, business
In hiragana, "meeting" is かいぎ (kaigi) for a formal business meeting. A smaller planning session is うちあわせ (uchiawase).
Meaning: a meeting (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| かいぎ | kaigi | formal, business |
| うちあわせ | uchiawase | business, planning talk |
The verb for holding or attending is する (suru) or でる (deru): かいぎに でる (kaigi ni deru), "attend a meeting".
What does it mean word for word?
かいぎ is written 会議 in kanji. うちあわせ is 打ち合わせ.
Which one should you use?
かいぎ (kaigi) is an organised meeting with an agenda. うちあわせ (uchiawase) is a discussion to prepare or arrange something, often with fewer people.
What mistakes should you avoid?
To "meet a person" is not かいぎ. Use あう (au), as in ともだちに あう (tomodachi ni au).
Did you know?
- In Japanese offices, a quick talk before a meeting is part of normal preparation, which is why うちあわせ (uchiawase) is such a common word.
Examples in context
- あしたの かいぎは くじからです。Ashita no kaigi wa kuji kara desu.Tomorrow's meeting starts at nine.
- うちあわせを しましょう。Uchiawase o shimashō.Let us have a planning meeting.
- かいぎは もう おわりました。Kaigi wa mō owarimashita.The meeting has already ended.
Example conversation
Two coworkers, Mr. Kato and Ms. Hayashi, talk in the office.
- Mr. Katoはやしさん、あしたの かいぎ、でますか。Hayashi-san, ashita no kaigi, demasu ka.Ms. Hayashi, will you attend tomorrow's meeting?
- Ms. Hayashiはい、でます。Hai, demasu.Yes, I will.
- Mr. Katoじゃあ、そのまえに うちあわせを しませんか。Jā, sono mae ni uchiawase o shimasen ka.Then shall we have a quick talk before that?
