What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mata (again), ai (the stem of the verb au, to meet) and mashō (the volitional/suggestive polite form of a verb).
Which one should you use?
While また会いましょう is polite and structured, the much more common informal way to say "see you again" among friends is またね.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
また会いましょう is in the polite register, making it suitable for use with acquaintances, colleagues or people you do not know intimately. For even more formal situations, you can use またお目にかかりましょう to mean "let's meet again" or またいつかお会いしましょう for a polite way to say "let's meet again someday". In contrast, among friends, you should use informal expressions like またね (see you again) or じゃあね (see you again or see you later).
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending mashō functions as a polite suggestion or a declaration of a shared future action, translating to "let's" or "we shall".
How do you pronounce it?
mata aimashō
Did you know?
- While また会いましょう implies a future meeting, using the word sayonara can imply a permanent farewell or that you may never see the person again.
- While また会いましょう is polite, saying it to a close friend might actually feel distant or cold, as the formal structure creates a psychological wall between you.
- In the very formal version またお目にかかりましょう, the verb is replaced by a phrase that literally means 'to put oneself in the sight of' another person.
Examples in context
- どういたしまして！またお目にかかりましょう！You're welcome! Let's meet again!
- お互いさまです！またいつかお会いしましょう！Likewise! Let's meet again someday!
- また会いましょう。Mata aimashou.We will meet again.
- それでは、また会いましょう。Soredewa, mata aimashou.Well then, we will meet again.
- 来月、また会いましょう。Raigetsu, mata aimashou.We will meet again next month.
Example conversation
Two acquaintances parting ways after a coffee meeting.
- 陽太 Yota今日はありがとうございました。Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita.Thank you for today.
- 陽葵 Himariこちらこそ。また会いましょう。Kochira koso. Mata aimashou.The pleasure was mine. We will meet again.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、また会いましょう。Hai, mata aimashou.Yes, we will meet again.
- 陽葵 Himariさようなら。Sayounara.Goodbye.
