Translation and Meaning of: 合わせ - awase

If you've ever wondered how to say "to combine" or "to confront" in Japanese, the word 合わせ (あわせ) is one of the most versatile for these contexts. In this article, we will explore its etymology, everyday usage, pictogram, and even tips for memorization—everything with practical examples for you to apply in your studies. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find ready-made sentences to include in Anki and truly master this expression that appears in everything from cuisine to martial arts.

The kanji 合わせ carries nuances that go beyond the literal translation, and understanding its origin helps to decipher why the Japanese use it so much in situations of harmony or opposition. Want to discover how it appears in expressions like 力を合わせる (to join forces) or 顔を合わせる (to face someone)? Let's uncover each layer.

Etymology and Pictogram: The Kanji Behind Union

The kanji 合 (あい) in 合わせ is a visual combination of two elements: the radical 亼 (a symbolic roof) and 口 (mouth). Together, they convey the idea of "things that fit together," like pieces under the same roof or voices in harmony. Not surprisingly, this character appears in words like 合意 (consensus) or 試合 (sports match, where there is confrontation).

Interestingly, the verb 合わせる (awaseru) maintains this duality: it can mean both "to adapt" (リズムに合わせて踊る - to dance in rhythm) and "to challenge" (刃を合わせる - to cross swords). A kendo teacher once explained to me that, in the dojō, shouting "合わせ!" is a call to synchronize movements— and also to face the opponent head-on.

Everyday Lies: From the Kitchen to Business

In cuisine, 合わせ is almost a technical term. 合わせダレ (combined sauce) gets its name because it mixes ingredients like shōyu and mirin in precise proportions. Meanwhile, hearing スケジュールを合わせましょう ("let's align our schedules") at work is a sign that it's time to negotiate timings—something as common in Japan as orderly lines at the station.

And don't think that the word is restricted to serious situations. Teenagers use タイミングを合わせる (synchronize the timing) to set up meetings or post group photos on social media. A friend from Osaka even joked that "life is an eternal 合わせ", from choosing the right moment to talk to the boss to coordinating outfits with a boyfriend.

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

To cement 合わせ, associate the kanji 合 with situations where distinct things complement each other. Imagine two hands coming together (the upper stroke would be the fingers, and the "mouth" below, the palms). A trick I learned from a classmate: think of "a-wa-sê" as the sound of something fitting together ("ah! it fits!").

A quick Google search reveals that many people search for "合わせ 漢字" or "awase 意味"—proof that curiosity about this word goes beyond Japanese students. And it's no wonder: it even names traditions such as awase ningyō, paper dolls dressed in outfits that match the seasons. Want to test your knowledge? Try creating a sentence with 合わせる and share it in the comments on the site!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 合致 (gacchi) - Exact agreement or correspondence between parts.
• 一致 (icchi) - Uniformity or total agreement among elements.
• 合同 (goudou) - Union or combination of groups or parts.
• 合意 (goui) - Mutual agreement between parties.
• 合わせる (awaseru) - Join or adjust elements together.
• 調和する (chouwa suru) - Harmonize or create balance between parts.
• 調整する (chousei suru) - Adjust or modify to reach a desired state.
• 調合する (chougou suru) - Mix or combine ingredients or components.
• 調和させる (chouwa saseru) - Create harmony or balance elements.
• 調整させる (chousei saseru) - It can imply forcing an adjustment or modification.
• 調合させる (chougou saseru) - To involve in making a mix or combination proactively.

合わせ

Romaji: awase
Kana: あわせ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: To bring together; opposite; facing.

Meaning in English: joint together;opposite;facing

Definition: Make one. Combine two or more things into one.

Example Sentences - (合わせ) awase

See below some example sentences:

文芸は芸術と文学を組み合わせたものです。

Bungei wa geijutsu to bungaku o kumiawaseta mono desu

Bungei is a combination of art and literature.

Literature is a combination of art and literature.

• 文芸 - literatura
• は - Topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• 芸術 - means "art" in Japanese.
• と - Connector particle, used to connect two words or phrases.
• 文学 - literatura
• を - Direct object pronoun, used to indicate the object of the action.
• 組み合わせた - verb that means "combine" or "join".
• もの - noun meaning "thing".
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, used to indicate the state or condition.

共稼ぎは夫婦の力を合わせることが大切です。

Kyōkasegi wa fuufu no chikara wo awaseru koto ga taisetsu desu

Dual income is important for couples to combine their strengths.

It is important to combine the power of the couple to make money.

• 共稼ぎ (kyoukasegi) - It means "work together" or "teamwork".
• 夫婦 (fuufu) - means "couple" or "husband and wife".
• 力 (chikara) - means "strength" or "power".
• 合わせる (awaseru) - means "to join" or "to unite".
• こと (koto) - It is a particle that indicates that the previous word is a noun and is being used as a direct or indirect object.
• 大切 (taisetsu) - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です (desu) - It is a toK3N that indicates that the sentence is a declaration or affirmation.

この絵は枠に合わせて飾ってください。

Kono e wa waku ni awasete kazatte kudasai

Please put this image framed on the wall.

Please decorate this photo according to the board.

• この - this
• 絵 - image
• は - Topic particle
• 枠 - frame
• に - target particle
• 合わせて - adjust, combine
• 飾って - hang, decorate
• ください - please, please about

リズムに合わせて踊ろう。

Rizumu ni awasete odorou

Let's dance to the rhythm.

Let's dance according to the rhythm.

• リズム (rizumu) - rhythm
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or direction
• 合わせて (awasete) - together with, in conjunction
• 踊ろう (odorou) - let's dance

五十音は日本語の基本的な音の組み合わせを表します。

Gojūon wa nihongo no kihonteki na oto no kumiawase o hyō shimasu

The 1950s indicate the basic combination of the Japanese sound.

• 五十音 - means "fifty sounds" and refers to the set of Japanese characters used to represent sounds and syllables.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 基本的な - means "basic" or "fundamental".
• 音 - means "sound" or "musical note".
• 組み合わせ - means "combination" or "arrangement".
• 表します - means "represents" or "shows".

問い合わせることは大切です。

Toiawaseru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to ask questions and queries.

It is important to contact us.

• 問い合わせる - verb meaning "to ask a question" or "to make a query"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "subject"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "ask a question" or "make a query"
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - linking verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing yourself in Japanese

待ち合わせ場所はどこですか？

Machiawase basho wa doko desu ka?

Where is the meeting point?

Where is the meeting place?

• 待ち合わせ場所 - meeting point
• は - Topic particle
• どこ - "onde"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - interrogative particle

私たちは力を合わせてこのプロジェクトを完成させます。

Watashitachi wa chikara o awasete kono purojekuto o kansei sasemasu

Let's join our forces to complete this project.

We will work together to complete this project.

• 私たちは - "We"
• 力を合わせて - "Joining forces"
• この - "This"
• プロジェクトを - "Project"
• 完成させます - "We will complete"

街角で待ち合わせしましょう。

Machikado de machiawase shimashou

Let's meet at the corner of the street.

• 街角 (machikado) - means "corner" in Japanese
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where something happens
• 待ち合わせ (machiawase) - means "meeting" in Japanese
• しましょう (shimashou) - polite way of suggesting something, in this case "let's meet"