Meaning and Usage
"間に合う" (まにあう) means "to be in time for" or "to make it before a deadline or scheduled time." It is commonly used when talking about arriving somewhere on time, completing tasks before a deadline, or catching transportation.
Common Contexts
You will often hear it in daily life situations such as catching a train, arriving at meetings, or submitting homework. It implies success in meeting a time limit.
Collocations and Patterns
- 間に合う + に (e.g., 電車に間に合う): to be in time for something like a train or event.
- 間に合わない: the negative form meaning "not in time" or "too late."
- 締め切りに間に合う: to meet a deadline.
Register and Nuance
This phrase is neutral and polite enough for everyday conversation and formal situations. It expresses punctuality and reliability.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 間に合う with just "arriving" but it specifically means "arriving on time" or "making it before a deadline." Make sure to use it only when emphasizing timeliness.