奇遇ですね
kigū desu ne
The Japanese phrase for "what a coincidence" is 奇遇ですね (kigū desu ne).
This phrase is used specifically when you unexpectedly meet someone or discover that you have something in common. It is not used for general coincidences in a mathematical or logical sense.
What does it mean word for word?
The core word 奇遇 (kigū) literally means a strange or unexpected encounter.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 偶然ですね is a formal way to say "What a coincidence". If you want to emphasize the magnitude of the event, you can use the informal expression すごい偶然だね！ to mean "What an amazing coincidence!"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 奇遇ですね is polite and suitable for use with acquaintances or people you are not on intimate terms with. For a casual version used with friends or people of lower social status, use 奇遇だ. For a very informal exclamation, you can say なんて偶然！
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ね (ne) at the end of the phrase 奇遇ですね is used to seek agreement or express shared emotion with the listener.
How do you pronounce it?
kigū desu ne
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, a chance meeting often prompts a conversation about en (縁), the mysterious invisible threads of fate that bind people together.
- The word 奇 in 奇遇 can mean 'strange' or 'odd', but it is also the same character used for 'miracle' in the word 奇跡 (kiseki).
- If you accidentally use 奇遇ですね to describe a non-human event, such as finding a penny on the ground, it will sound quite odd. The term is culturally reserved for human encounters or shared experiences between people.
Examples in context
- まさかこんなところでお会いするとは、奇遇ですね。What a coincidence to meet you in a place like this.This example shows how to use 奇遇ですね when expressing surprise at meeting someone in an unexpected location.Tatoeba #11695241 by bunbuku, translation #12600645 by urro
- 昨日、バスで知り合いに会いました。 偶然ですね！Yesterday, I ran into an acquaintance on the bus. What a coincidence!
- 同じクラスだなんて、奇遇ですね。Onaji kurasu da nante, kiguu desu ne.What a coincidence that we are in the same class.
- あのお店に行こうと思っていたなんて、奇遇ですね。Ano omise ni ikou to omotte ita nante, kiguu desu ne.What a coincidence, I was thinking of going to that shop.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota run into each other at a local park.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さん、ここで会うなんて奇遇ですね！Yota-san, koko de au nante kiguu desu ne!Yota, what a coincidence meeting you here!
- 陽太 Yota本当ですね。結衣さんも散歩ですか？Hontou desu ne. Yui-san mo sanpo desu ka?It really is. Are you also taking a walk, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、少し歩いてきました。Hai, sukoshi aruite kimashita.Yes, I've been walking for a bit.
- 陽太 Yota僕も同じですよ。Boku mo onaji desu yo.Me too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
