会う vs. 出会う vs. 巡り合う: What's the Difference?

会う

Meet

駅で昔の友達に会った。I met my old friend at the station. (meet by accident)

駅で昔の友達と会った。I met my old friend at the station. (I've already made an appointment.)

出会う

happen to meet; accidentally meet

友人に出会う。 Meet a friend.

災難に出会う。Meet disaster.

巡り合う

Meet, meet by chance, or encounter something you have been longing for (after a long separation)

「巡り合う」は、長い期間を経て、思いがけずに人や求めていた物と対面する意で、「出あう」よりも使用範囲が狭い。Face-to-face with unexpected people or things you want.

Example Sentences:

あの人と巡り会えたのは、一期一会なのでしょうか。 Our meeting like that is probably the kind of thing that only happens once.

旧友と巡り合う。I met an old friend by chance.